Global Exhibitions Day to celebrate industry’s strong comeback
With a month to go before the arrival of Global Exhibitions Day (GED) on June 7, UFI, which serves as its central project office, has unveiled this year’s theme and calls for exhibition industry professionals to celebrate the moment together.
This year, the main theme highlights that the exhibitions and events industry “runs the meeting places and marketplaces for everyone”. It will shine a light on how integral the industry’s work is to the continuation of all businesses and industries, and encourage greater recognition for the influence and effect on economy that exhibitions hold.
“Ever since we launched GED in 2016 as an industry, it has been growing in reach and relevance, and the campaign was crucial to keep decision makers aware of us throughout the dark times of the pandemic. Now, after the post-pandemic recovery, GED allows us to focus and highlight the critical role we play for every industry, every community that we serve. More than ever, we have the opportunity to be seen by policymakers and decision makers as the important sector that we are. I encourage everyone to join this year’s activities”, said Michael Duck, UFI president.
GED has seen activations and activities from industry players in over 100 countries and regions around the world since it was established. To help more get involved in GED, UFI has prepared an online toolkit for businesses and professionals in the sector to use when promoting GED. They are encouraged to highlight the impact of exhibitions on facilitating the communication and collaboration of all types of industries and marketplaces.
Some participation ideas include following the #GED2023 on all social media platforms; creating or taking part in a #GED2023 initiative; and asking government officials for endorsement and recognition of the day.
ASM Global Australia appoints First Nations ambassador
Quandamooka traditional owner and prominent First Nations advocate, Cameron Costello has been appointed First Nations ambassador for ASM Global Australia, the company that manages a number of venues across the country.
Costello is deputy chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, interim chair of the Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, and has been appointed to Queensland Government’s Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Committee.
He sees synergy between First Nations peoples who have been gathering and conducting ceremony on country for tens of thousands of years, and ASM Global, who in continuing that tradition, creates new and meaningful opportunities for First Nations peoples to play a role.
He would use his many years of experience to guide and assist with the preparation and development of a Reconciliation Action Plan for ASM Global, and advise the leadership team on First Nations projects and protocols. He will also work with the group’s Australian venues on cultural competency training, and assist when needed.
IHG group CEO steps down
InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) group CEO Keith Barr will be stepping down from his role as well as from the IHG Board effective June 30.
Having been with the company for 30 years, he has transformed IHG for long-term sustainable growth, as well as navigated a global pandemic while continuing to grow IHG’s footprint and reputation with key stakeholders around the world.
Barr will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, a member of IHG’s Board and Executive Committee, who has led IHG’s Americas business as regional CEO for the past eight years. Taking up his new position on July 1, Maalouf will be based in the UK.
New meeting deal at Holiday Inn in Siracha
Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha, Thailand has rolled out a Meet with Confidence package, which packs in a meeting venue, seven event themes to choose from, a coffee break, audio-visual equipment, and more.
For clients paying an advanced 100,000 baht (US$2,971) for their booking, the hotel will gift the group a live Thai dessert station.
The Meet with Confidence package is priced at 1,000 baht per pax for the half-day option and 1,250 baht per pax for the full-day option.
A coffee break package is available at 550 baht per person.
Groups can also book a standard room with breakfast and Wi-Fi at 1,500 baht with this package. A free room and upgrade to the next category is offered when booking 20 rooms or more.
Meeting groups can also sign up for meaningful activities at the hotel, such as mangrove planting (subject to season and tide) and staghorn coral planting. These are priced at 360 baht per person and 2,600 baht net per unit respectively.
The hotel is a 1.5-hour drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport and 20 minutes from Pattaya.
David Hart ready to cook up a storm at Cairns Convention Centre
David Hart has joined Cairns Convention Centre as executive chef.
Hart arrives at Cairns Convention Centre with 17 years of culinary experience in luxury hotels including The Stables Resort Perisher, Sofitel Brisbane and the Pullman International Cairns.
BCD creates podcast that dissects business travel trends
Global TMC BCD Travel is presenting a new podcast, Connections with BCD Travel, that looks into business travel trends and offers practical advice on how its digital products and solutions can solve issues faced by travel buyers.
Every episode, running for 20 minutes, is co-hosted by Chad Lemon, senior manager of product marketing operations, and Miriam Moscovici, vice president, partnerships & research.
The podcast is available on the BCD Travel website as well as major podcast platforms. New episodes are aired every couple of weeks.
There are currently a number of episodes available, such as the debut episode, Business travel: Trends you should be taking advantage of; Travel data: Debunking the myths; and Hotel content: The best rates are a click away.
Unified business events association forms in Australia
The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux, the Australian Convention Centres Group, and the Exhibition & Events Association of Australasia have created the Australian Business Events Association, which will launch on July 3.
The creation of the new association is spearheaded by a Project Development Group, comprising directors from the three associations.
Industry stalwart Peter King is appointed independent chair of the board. He was most recently the CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The formation of the Australian Business Events Association is an answer to the call from the country’s business events industry for a unified sector.
The most recent research conducted in 2022 revealed that 84 per cent of survey respondents wanted a unified body representing the sector to the government and the broader business community. It was deemed that the duplication of services from numerous associations resulted in inefficient use of industry funds, with multiple advocacy voices creating confusion with stakeholders and diluting industry messaging.
King said: “A consolidated and united association can commission much-needed research, create policy, train its people, tackle sustainability, develop career paths, link with international and domestic trade opportunities and powerfully advocate to government.
“The industry has been on the fringe of the government’s radar for too long. Covid taught us that we need to get serious about amplifying our collective voice.
“We are building a platform through which we can develop the outcomes and the impact the people and organisations who deliver approximately 480,000 business events annually need to thrive, create jobs, and contribute to the economy.”
King emphasised that the Australian Business Events Association is about “member prosperity”, and will focus on the “pillars of advocacy, research and policy” as well as the industry’s development, necessary business services, and “promotion of the sector as a great place to work and do business”.
Membership is accessible to all, regardless of business size.
The association is now looking to fill the post of CEO.
Sail away on Banyan Tree Krabi’s new longtail boat
Banyan Tree Krabi has unveiled a new longtail boat that will take its guests on day trips and island-hopping excursions during their stay.
Built by local craftsmen using materials sourced from around Krabi, The White Pearl offers luxury and comfort on board for up to eight passengers.
Visitors can choose from either a half-day longtail boat trip to nearby Koh Hong or a full-day (eight-hour) tour of the four islands among the islets of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, where the boat anchors for guests to spend the day swimming and snorkelling in undisturbed clear waters.
All day trips on The White Pearl include fresh coconut, fruit and soft drinks, snorkelling equipment, life vests, toilets, and an English-speaking Boat Host.
Private bookings for non-guests are also available.
For more information, visit Banyan Tree Krabi.
Wellington to host BEIA’s MEETINGS for first time ever
The business events industry will converge on New Zealand’s vibrant capital in June for the first time in MEETINGS’s 27-year history.
Organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the tradeshow will be attended by important buyers from across the world as well as from New Zealand.
Adding to the excitement is the event’s venue – the new Tākina convention and exhibition centre.
Irette Ferreira, manager of Business Events Wellington, said: “We’re super excited to show Tākina off to our industry, and to highlight how we can support organisations to successfully bring their business events here.”
“Our stand will showcase all that Wellington has to offer as we enter into a new era of business events and strive to position our city as New Zealand’s events capital.”
The Wellington regional stand, hosted by Business Events Wellington, will see representation from 20 stand partners – its largest ever. It will also offer an exciting line-up of activities to engage buyers.
Buyers will get to meet specialist suppliers such as Wellington Zoo, Public Trust Hall, Red Pebble, Moy Hall Vineyard and Destination Wairarapa.
“Buyers and visitors can earn vouchers or points to redeem at our Made in Wellington store (that is) lined with tasty goodies from our region, along with a few extra surprises,” said Ferreira.
Business Events Wellington will take more than 160 buyers beyond MEETINGS for a day of city exploration. The programme will showcase the capital city’s hospitality, hidden gems, and event possibilities.
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The Board of the World Endometriosis Society (WES) has selected Sydney to host the World Congress on Endometriosis in May 2025.
The announcement was made at the WES Congress in Edinburgh over the weekend.
Secured by the Australian Society of Endometriosis working with bidding specialists at Business Events Sydney (BESydney), the Sydney Congress will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney. It is expected to attract more than 1,000 scientists, clinicians, researchers, and patients, and generate an estimated A$3.9million (US$2.6 million) in direct expenditure over four days.
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said: “Sydney was able to create an exceptional team of national representatives from across the spectrum of endometriosis research, clinical care and patient advocacy to lobby for this important event. We know that by bringing people together through events like this, delegates are provided the opportunity to contribute to ideas and solutions that will impact the lives and wellbeing of women around the globe.”
The women’s health discussion will continue on into 2026 in Sydney with the previously announced Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Congress. Sydney has a strong global reputation for its robust health and life sciences industry and ground-breaking facilities such as the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, which continues to attract important global health events each year.
Coming up on the Sydney calendar in 2023, major health and life science events include the FDI World Dental Congress, World Conference on Family Doctors (WONCA) and the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work.
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, said securing the 2025 World Congress on Endometriosis with the support of the Business Events Bid Fund Program, was a great outcome.
“International business events deliver significant benefits to our visitor economy and Australia looks forward to welcoming delegates to Sydney for the WES event in 2025.”