The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) presented its enhanced Meet Well in Thailand campaign last week at IBTM World 2025.
Set to roll out throughout 2026, the campaign is a collaboration between government and private sectors. It has secured participation from over 130 providers, including 40 five-star hotels, four wellness establishments, and four major shopping malls. It covers 14 city destinations, including five established MICE Cities. Incentives offered include up to 20 per cent off wellness programmes and 40 to 80 per cent discounts on shopping.
TCEB’s media briefing at IBTM 2025
Initially launched at AIME 2025, the enhanced offering now includes a wide range of deals spanning wellness, accommodation, shopping, dining, and low-carbon activities.
TCEB president Supawan Teerarat stated the campaign is designed to maximise return on investment and return on experience by leveraging diverse stakeholder expertise.
She added that the initiative strengthens Thailand’s business events ecosystem and aligns with a series of flagship international events scheduled for 2026 in cities across the country, providing more destination options and added value for planners.
From left: MCI Group’s Ajay Bhojwani; IAPCO’s Sissi Lignou and Martin Boyle; and Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Alexander Alles, at IAPCO’s press conference during IBTM World 2025
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and Business Events Australia (BEA) formalised a new strategic partnership at IBTM World, immediately launching joint initiatives to accelerate sustainable practices across the global meetings and events industry.
The partnership directly supports the implementation of IAPCO’s Sustainability Strategy and introduces two new initiatives.
From left: MCI Group’s Ajay Bhojwani; IAPCO’s Sissi Lignou and Martin Boyle; and Joint Meetings Industry Council’s Alexander Alles, at IAPCO’s press conference during IBTM World 2025
A new IAPCO Sustainability Award powered by Business Events Australia will honour IAPCO member companies demonstrating leadership and innovation in sustainable event management.
A new IAPCO Sustainability Toolkit will also be developed. This digital resource, to be released in March 2026, is designed to equip PCOs with practical tools and insights for measurable environmental and social impact.
Ajay Bhojwani, IAPCO Sustainability Committee chair and managing director at MCI Middle East, stated the partnership represents a shared commitment to driving change and providing practical tools.
Recent IAPCO research found that while 71 per cent of members have a clear sustainability strategy and 58 per cent have a designated sustainability role, the industry faces key challenges, including the increased cost of implementation and a lack of subsidy programmes.
The collaboration will also include a comprehensive programme of branding, education, and engagement opportunities.
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has achieved EarthCheck Master Recertification, verifying its sustained commitment to environmental and social performance.
The Master Certification is the highest recognition offered by the EarthCheck programme. It validates over 15 years of continuous benchmarking and improvement in sustainable operations and responsible event delivery.
GCCEC’s outdoor event space
This accomplishment marks the Centre’s seventeenth year of sustained benchmarking within the EarthCheck system.
In the certification process, GCCEC demonstrated exemplary results against key EarthCheck performance benchmarks, confirming its status as a regional leader in both waste recycling and community contributions.
Nick Jeffrey, general Manager of GCCEC, noted: “ … Achieving EarthCheck Master status for another year reflects the shared effort of our entire team, who make sustainability a part of how we do business.”
“Phase two of our Five-Year Sustainability Strategy is now under way, focusing on practical initiatives that reduce waste, improve efficiency and create lasting benefits for our people, partners and community.”
Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak, has been appointed as a Trustee of The Iceberg, a global authority promoting the legacy impact of business events. She is the first Asian and only Malaysian on the Board.
The appointment strengthens Asia’s representation in legacy-driven events. It follows Roziman receiving The Iceberg Excellence Award on October 2, 2025.
Amelia Roziman
Since 2006, Roziman has been a major figure in Malaysian business events, leading Sarawak to 29 destination marketing awards and earning 10 professional honours. In 2023, she was the first Asian woman inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders.
She joins a distinguished Board of Trustees to guide The Iceberg’s governance and strategy, including Caroline MacKenzie, James Latham, Martin Sirk, Sarah Fleming, Ben Hainsworth, Geneviève Leclerc, Oscar Cerezales, and Gregg Talley.
The 10th IWA-ASPIRE and Water New Zealand Conference & Expo saw some 2,494 delegates from 50 countries across five days
The 10th IWA-ASPIRE and Water New Zealand Conference & Expo was the largest ever water sector event in New Zealand. Bringing record-breaking delegate numbers to Ōtautahi Christchurch, it combined the International Water Association’s Asia Pacific Group (IWA-ASPIRE) regional biennial conference with a national event, the Water New Zealand Conference and Expo.
The result? Five transformative days of innovation, knowledge sharing, and commitment to advancing solutions in water management in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The co-located event allowed 2,494 delegates from 50 countries to choose between 13 different education streams across two venues, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and Christchurch Town Hall, just minutes’ walk apart.
September 29 – October 3, 2025
2,494 delegates from 50 countries
13 streams and 200+ technical presentations
273 expo stands
6 site visits
Empowering tomorrow Themed ‘Empowering Tomorrow – Smart Water Solutions for Resilient Communities’, the gathering brought together international water and sanitation professionals, scientists and experts for technical sessions, workshops, and plenaries on smart solutions for a sustainable water future. The sold-out expo hall showcased the latest technologies driving the water sector forward.
The event programme highlighted areas where New Zealand has special expertise to share – indigenous knowledge and approaches, nature-based solutions, and environmental sustainability.
IWA vice president Mohmad Asari Bin Daud noted “the solutions to our greatest water challenges are found when people come together across disciplines, cultures, and geographies.”
Centring indigenous voices
The event featured Māori cultural experiences and content to acknowledge the importance of co-creating solutions with the indigenous community
The content was curated with a focus on indigenous and nature-based solutions to ensure the long-term health of water, emphasising the potential for innovation and intersection between Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and Western engineering and environmental science.
Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngata – If the water is healthy, the land is healthy, the people are healthy.
The event opened with a traditional mihi whakatau Māori welcome ceremony from local tribal group Ngāi Tūāhuriri. Special workshop sessions focused on indigenous communities, water governance and guardianship.
Guests at the IWA-ASPIRE Cultural Gala Dinner enjoyed a modern spin on a traditional Hāngī (pit oven) meal, before Ngāi Tūāhuriri led a joyful poi (Māori dance) workshop.
Experiential learning
Part of the event programme included site visits across the Canterbury region
The event concluded with six site visits offering rich, immersive learning experiences across the Canterbury region led by local environmental services researchers and experts from NIWA, ECAN (Environment Canterbury), Christchurch City Council, and Central Plains Water Ltd (CPWL).
These included:
an Ōtākaro Avon River walk focusing on urban river restoration,
a tour of nature-based stormwater solutions,
a visit to Wairewa Marae to look at marae-led wastewater innovation,
and inspecting large-scale irrigation infrastructure across the Canterbury plains.
Fostering success
Marion Savill, conference co-chair and chair of IWA NZ, acknowledged the efforts of Tourism New Zealand Business Events, Water New Zealand and professional conference organiser Avenues Event Management in fostering a successful combination of the national and regional events.
“With almost 2,500 people, it was particularly well-attended and one of the most successful IWA-ASPIRE events to date.
“The conference attracted many world-recognised water experts from across the globe, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, allowing New Zealand water experts to share knowledge with some of the best in the world.”
The proximity of the two venues, accommodation, restaurants, the gardens, and the river in Christchurch had added to an enjoyable learning experience, she said, adding: “Everyone loved the locations, the relaxed New Zealand way, and the content. I kept hearing ‘this is a fabulous conference’.”
Tasmania recently hosted 150 international delegates for the International Herbage Seed Group (IHSG) Conference, held in Launceston from November 16-19.
Delivered in partnership with the Tasmanian Seed Industry Group (TSIG), the event convened leading researchers, growers, and industry representatives. Key focus areas included emerging and alternative seed crops, sustainable production, and agronomic innovation.
The conference was held in Launceston (pictured)
The daily programme blended meetings with field trips, offering delegates farm tours and a cultural visit to Brickendon Estate.
This marked the first time the IHSG Conference, previously staged in countries including Denmark, China, France, and Argentina, was held in Australia since 2003.
Tasmania was selected as the host following a period of significant growth in the state’s seed industry, which has expanded more than fourfold over the last decade. This growth includes an 80 per cent increase in production area, attributed to the state’s favourable climate, land suitability, irrigation access, and relative freedom from many pests and diseases.
The conference received support from the Tasmanian Government’s Business Events Attraction Fund, administered by Business Events Tasmania.
From left: MBS' Wee Min Ong; and ICCA’s Senthil Gopinath
Wee Min Ong, vice president of sales & MICE, at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in Singapore, has been named the recipient of the 2025 ICCA Global Community Impact Award.
The award recognises an individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the global meetings and events community through leadership, innovation, and positive social impact. The award was presented to Ong during the IBTM World conference in Barcelona.
From left: MBS’ Wee Min Ong; and ICCA’s Senthil Gopinath
With over 26 years in the business events sector, Ong has been instrumental in positioning Singapore as a leading destination for transformative and sustainable meetings. Under his leadership, MBS has established new benchmarks for community-centred and legacy-focused event experiences.
“This recognition… is a testament to the collective passion and dedication of the MBS team in putting Singapore firmly on the global meetings map. This award reinforces our belief that impactful events can inspire change, foster collaboration, and leave a lasting legacy,” said Ong.
“We will continue to push boundaries and elevate the industry through purposeful, transformative and sustainable event experiences, reimagining the future and championing the growth and development of the future of our industry.”
The ICCA Global Community Impact Award, launched as part of ICCA’s Vision 2030, champions individuals and organisations that shape the future of meetings through sustainability, inclusion, and community legacy.
The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) has appointed Cindy-Lee Bakos from MCI Australia, and Nick Jeffrey from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, as the newest members of ABEA’s Board of Directors following ABEA’s AGM.
They join Angie Becker from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre who was re-elected onto the Board.
From left: Cindy-Lee Bakos; and Nick Jeffrey
In addition, the ABEA Board has agreed to extend Peter King’s term as chair for another two years. Both King and vice chair, Matt Pearce from Talk2 Media, will continue in their roles, providing continuity and stability as ABEA advances its national agenda.
The Board also confirmed Andrew Crook from AV1 as the latest emerging leader board observer. His appointment reflects ABEA’s commitment to developing emerging leaders and ensuring the next generation has a seat at the national table.
Hamilton Island has appointed Rebecca Hamey as general manager of qualia.
She returns to the resort with more than 15 years of experience in luxury and boutique hospitality, including a leadership role at qualia from 2016 to 2018.
Hamey steps into the role after recent positions that strengthened her operational and guest experience expertise across high-end properties. Her appointment supports the resort’s focus on maintaining its standards of personalised service and delivering a consistent experience for guests in the Whitsundays.
ICCA Congress 2025’s The Creative Edge Track took place at the WOW – Cultural District
As the events industry moves past delivering experiences to creating transformative moments, creativity plays an increasingly important role, from creating memorable spaces to crafting lasting memories and engaging with the younger generation.
Event professionals were urged to switch their mindset to become “agents of transformation” by topic experts at the recent ICCA Congress 2025 in Porto, Portugal.
ICCA Congress 2025’s The Creative Edge Track took place at the WOW – Cultural District
“We bring people together and guide transformation, and creativity plays a huge role,” said Timothy Simpson, brand and engagement chief strategist at Maritz.
Choosing the right physical space takes creativity, noted Miguel Guides, president of Coliseu Porto Ageas, adding that being in creative spaces also sparks out-of-the-box thinking in attendees.
Mariana Duarte, CEO and creative director of GRIFfiN, said weaving creativity into events is a way to engage with attendees by building emotions.
“Today, we live in a world that’s connected and disconnected at the same time, so emotion is so important because it’s what distinguishes us from AI,” she said.
She urged meeting professionals to be experimental.
“Don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t forget to play with emotions, especially in events, because events are a place where we still feel emotions and feel something together.”
Creating the wow factor is also essential, according to Meg Williams, chief executive of the World of WearableArt, added that event organisers tend to focus on budget and logistics.
“While these are important, there is also the need to leave enough space for those magical moments to come through, and for creativity to thrive,” she opined.
Max Oliveira, CEO of Mxm, which organises major breakdancing events worldwide, said for events to appeal to younger generations, organisers need to tap into subcultures.
“Events aren’t just logistics, they’re about creativity and meaning. Connect culture, sports, social and business events. Bring these subcultures together and you’ll find the best ingredients to cook the best events on the planet.”
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
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A polished urban retreat designed for business travellers, Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown combines thoughtful design, seamless service, and exceptional facilities.
Hamey steps into the role after recent positions that strengthened her operational and guest experience expertise across high-end properties. Her appointment supports the resort’s focus on maintaining its standards of personalised service and delivering a consistent experience for guests in the Whitsundays.
