Get Local will be Australia's first business events industry tradeshow
Australian business events industry tradeshow Get Local will be proceeding with their in-person event, slated to take place at the ICC Sydney on February 15 and 16, 2022.
Get Local co-founders Donna Kessler and Gary Bender said the decision not to postpone was made after receiving encouraging positive feedback from the industry throughout January.
Get Local will be Australia’s first business events industry tradeshow
“For almost two years, industry buyers have been unable to physically see and source new products, meet face-to-face with their suppliers or network with colleagues. If the industry’s own event does not proceed as scheduled, then what message does that send to the broader business community about meetings and travel generally?
“For the stability of the industry and the economy it is crucial that businesses continue to operate and grow despite Covid-19 and even more,” said Kessler.
To instil confidence, Get Local organisers have ordered over 2,000 Rapid Antigen Tests for exhibitors, visitors, and staff. The event will also have contactless registration, no handouts, brochures or physical giveaways, and an open floor design with plenty of space for participants to move about freely and physically distanced, keeping to EventSafe Operating Guidelines.
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith added: “It’s important we come together as a sector and demonstrate the true value of face-to-face business events, in the COVIDSafe hands of event professionals.
WTTC confirms Manila for 2022 global summit; Metro Manila pictured
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that the 21st Global Summit will take place in Manila, Philippines, from April 20-22, 2022, just a month from its original March date.
The Summit will be hosted in Metro Manila in person and is set to be attended by WTTC members, industry leaders, and key government representatives, with a global audience joining virtually.
WTTC confirms Manila for 2022 global summit; Metro Manila pictured
Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO, said: “As countries around the world begin to unlock the door to travel, we have taken the decision to reschedule our Global Summit by just a few short weeks. This will enable more international participants to join us in Manila and help guide and lead the sector as we head towards economic recovery.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, secretary of the Philippines Department of Tourism, said: “The WTTC Global Summit will be a significant opportunity for us to showcase the preparations that we have put in place for our eventual reopening to international visitors.
“Tourism has always provided us with endless opportunities. The reopening of our destinations and borders amid the pandemic is crucial to sustaining the livelihood of the millions who depend on travel and tourism.”
Further information such as key speakers will be announced shortly.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has debuted the La Quinta by Wyndham brand in China with the opening of La Quinta by Wyndham Weifang South.
Positioned adjacent to the Sinomall in Fangzi, a commercial and business district, the hotel features 200 guestrooms and suites for delegates, all of which come equipped with modern amenities such as large-screen LED TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi and bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs.
Superior King
Event planners may avail the 3,400m2 of conference and banquet space across numerous spaces. The 1,500m2 pillar-free grand ballroom is the first hotel in Weifang to feature a holographic projection facility and offers the city’s biggest embedded LED screen. In addition, the 750m2 multifunction banquet hall and 12 other meeting rooms, ranging from 70 to 200m2, have been equipped with advanced audio-visual technology.
Other amenities include a 600m2 gym and yoga room, and an executive lounge, complete with private check-in/check-out, dedicated concierge services.
Guests will also be able to dine at three restaurants. There is Xian Café, an all-day dining destination with show kitchens and panoramic windows, while The Tasty is a speciality hotpot restaurant serving imported wagyu beef, Mongolian lamb, and fresh seafood. Lastly, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Xiang Palace, serves up fine Cantonese and Shandong cuisine, and offers seven private dining rooms for all types of events.
Western Australia delays border reopening indefinitely; Perth Airport pictured
Western Australian premier Mark McGowan has extended his state’s hard border closure beyond February due to Omicron concerns.
McGowan, however, did not set a new date for reopening, stating only that it would be considered over the next month, reported news.com.au.
Western Australia delays border reopening indefinitely; Perth Airport pictured
He explained that the delay in border reopening was in view of the large number of people in Western Australia (WA) who were not yet eligible for their boosters, which are key to fight Omicron.
The aim now for WA is to achieve a third booster vaccination rate of at least 80 or 90 per cent. Currently, around 90 per cent of locals have been double jabbed, and around 26 per cent of those 16 years old and above have received a third dose.
However, from February 5, travel exemption rules would be expanded on compassionate grounds, although individuals would still be required to undergo testing, and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They would also need to be triple-vaxxed.
Under the revised plan, travellers allowed to enter WA include returning WA residents with direct family connections in the state; those returning on compassionate grounds including for funerals, palliative care or terminally ill visitation; people seeking urgent and essential medical treatment, as well as commonwealth and state officials, members of parliament, and diplomats; among others.
There are now 79 active cases in WA, with 23 in hotel quarantine, 56 in self-quarantine and none in hospital.
Thailand expects to welcome five million foreign tourists this year; passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport pictured
Thailand will resume its quarantine-free travel programme for vaccinated foreigners starting February 1, the country’s Covid-19 taskforce said on Thursday (January 20).
The announcement comes about a month after Thailand suspended its Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme on December 22 in response to a surge of the Omicron variant. The move meant arrivals to the country had to undergo hotel quarantine, ranging from seven to 10 days.
Thailand expects to welcome five million foreign tourists this year; passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport pictured
New entry rules will be introduced under the revived scheme, with inbound travellers now required to take a Covid-19 test on the first and fifth day of arrival, spokesperson Taweesin Wisanuyothin was quoted by Channel NewsAsia as saying during a briefing.
Visitors will have to isolate at a hotel while waiting for their test results and will be required to download a tracking app to ensure they comply with the rules.
The government also announced additional destinations to the sandbox programme which was launched last year to revive the country’s battered tourism sector. Under the programme, vaccinated visitors must stay for one week at a designated location before being allowed to travel on to the rest of the country.
An estimated five million foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand in 2022, according to the tourism ministry’s forecast – down from nearly 40 million a year before the pandemic.
As general manager at Kimpton Kitalay Samui, Michael Janssen will spearhead strategy and development to successfully establish the resort in Koh Samui and drive its continued growth.
His other responsibilities include overseeing all resort operations and ensuring excellence in all functions of the hotel, from guest service and sales to profit performance.
Janssen has been with IHG Hotels & Resorts for more than 20 years and has worked in a range of roles and across geographies including EMEA, China, Thailand and Indonesia.
He was previously the area general manager based at InterContinental Hua Hin Resort. There, he was responsible for managing a portfolio of south Thailand’s luxury resorts including Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, InterContinental Koh Samui Resort and InterContinental Phuket Resort.
Previously, he successfully managed hotels in Mauritius and Indonesia after leading sales and marketing teams in hotels across Asia and Europe.
Both companies have affirmed their commitment Seeking more environmentally responsible travel solutions
CWT and Etihad Airways have agreed to partner on a carbon offsetting initiative, as part of the launch of Etihad’s Corporate Conscious Choices programme.
The first partnership of its kind between Etihad and a TMC, this initiative will see all CWT client bookings made on Etihad-operated flights automatically offset by the airline using the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculation methodology.
Both companies have affirmed their commitment to seeking more environmentally responsible travel solutions
Running from now until March 31, 2022, this partnership will see all offsets purchased go to Etihad’s offsetting climate action programmes in Makame Savannah REDD project in Tanzania, Peru’s Cordillera Azul National Park, and Indonesia’s Katingan Mentaya Project.
Beyond this initiative, the partnership will see both companies collectively and individually drive forward the carbon neutrality agenda alongside delivering tangible carbon footprint solutions.
CWT is one of the first organisations globally to participate in Etihad’s Corporate Conscious Choices sustainability programme, designed for organisations committed to reducing emissions and operating sustainably, with rewards and incentives designed to proactively support pro-environmental, social and governance initiatives and employee behaviour.
“Innovation and sustainability are at the core of our business, and our carbon-offsetting partnership with CWT is another fundamental iterative step towards us realising our ambitious sustainability goals to reduce carbon emissions in the air and through global partnership efficiencies,” said Tony Douglas, group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group.
One of Australia’s top hydrogen conferences, the Australian Hydrogen Conference (West), will be addressing the future of Australia’s hydrogen industry in Western Australia this year.
Bringing together the hydrogen sector’s most eminent energy leaders to explore the latest emerging projects, challenges and opportunities to shape the future of this rapidly expanding industry, the Australian Hydrogen Conference (West) will see 440 delegates visit Perth for the two-day event in November 2022.
The conference is a valuable opportunity to promote Perth’s (pictured) leading expertise in the field
The conference is expected to directly generate upwards of A$560,000 (US$403,000) for the West Australian economy, boosting local jobs and supporting the recovery of the business events industry.
Minister for the hydrogen industry, Alannah MacTiernan said Western Australia was becoming globally recognised for its significant renewable hydrogen potential.
“Since the State Government’s Renewable Hydrogen Conference in 2018, a local renewable hydrogen industry is turning from vision to reality here in Western Australia,” MacTiernan said.
The Australian Hydrogen Conference is known for featuring high-profile keynote speakers, with Angus Taylor, minister for industry, energy and emissions reduction, and former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull joining MacTiernan to present at the 2021 conference in Sydney.
Run by Sydney-based events company Informa, the Australian Hydrogen Conference (West) is complemented by its east coast counterpart, which will next be hosted in Adelaide.
Business Events Perth CEO Gareth Martin said that Western Australia’s growing strengths in the hydrogen sector were significant and contributed to the State being chosen as the destination for the 2022 event.
“Western Australia’s energy industry is moving towards more renewable energy sources, and as a result we’re making big strides in the field of hydrogen; in 2019, the WA Government launched the Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which sets out the State’s approach to becoming a significant producer, exporter and user of renewable hydrogen energy,” Martin said.
“Bringing together the top experts in this field in Western Australia will lead to new innovations and emerging projects that will continue to strengthen WA’s commitment to transition into a sustainable energy State.”
An in-person presenter, as well as an overseas presenter dialling in via iPresence. Photo: Kathryn Wortley
An in-person presenter, as well as an overseas presenter dialling in via iPresence. Photo: Kathryn Wortley
Event brief
In October 2021, Tokyo played host to the inaugural UIA Asia-Pacific Round Table, a non-profit, independent research institute documenting the current and historical work of international non-governmental organisations and intergovernmental organisations. The association is the world’s oldest and largest source of information on global civil society.
Organised annually, the Round Tables are intended to provide an opportunity for members of the association to learn through networking and practice while meeting fellow members. Through keynote speeches, presentations, panel discussions and networking, attendees gain experience and knowledge to help them run their organisations better.
The 9th Asia-Pacific Round Table, in 2021, was held in Japan for the first time. More than 70 overseas attendees from 29 countries and domestic participants based across Japan took part virtually, while some 40 local association executives and industry partners joined in person.
Destination partner, Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), welcomed the delegates and supported the in-person and online aspects of the meeting. Services provided to attendees included educational content via virtual cultural experiences, networking opportunities and easy access to the online platform, all as part of efforts to offer an engaging and rewarding experience for all delegates.
Event highlights
The event saw the pre-launch use of Panasonic’s Anshin Gate, a system that, in one motion, checks a guest’s temperature and sanitises their hands and feet. Other technology tracked attendees’ movements and gauged congestion in the foyer using a series of cameras. During designated break times, in-person attendees could mix or get drinks in the foyer without crowds or lines forming.
Telepresence avatar robots provided by Japanese firm iPresence allowed presenters to have a more physical presence on stage than if they were joining remotely, as they were able to interact with in-person attendees during breaks. This technology is designed to “provide more complete interactivity to remote participants, creating truly hybrid experiences”, said Chris Christophers, founder and CEO of iPresence.
Online delegates joined the event via OnAIR, a dedicated virtual conferencing platform for speakers and attendees. From the portal app, attendees could visit the Auditorium or Virtual Exhibition, access the programme, receive live support or join the meeting hub for calls, chats or scheduled meetings. The Australian-made system allowed delegates to watch presentations and workshops in real-time and submit questions and comments. It also hosted content provided by TCVB.
The TCVB-produced content focused on videos introducing Japan, including one presenting nihon buyo, a Japanese classical dance; one showing how and why sushi is beloved in Tokyo, with insight from a fourth-generation sushi chef; one introducing iaido, the martial art of the sword; and one called “Tokyo in a Day,” which showcased five of the capital’s neighbourhoods.
At a virtual green teatime session transmitted live from Tokyo, delegates could also learn about green tea, one of the most consumed beverages in Japan. Among the topics covered by the host were why green tea is so healthy, how to brew the perfect cup, and where to enjoy green tea across Japan once international travel resumes.
Kazuko Toda, senior director of the business events team at TCVB, expressed hope that all delegates would be engaged and interested in the online Japanese cultural experience about “the magic of green tea, which has long been the centre of our culture” and the online exhibitions, which featured details on Tokyo’s meeting venues, cultural experiences and must-see spots.
Challenges
Given the 15-year history of holding Round Tables in-person, some virtual attendees were saddened not to be able to attend physically and Europe-based speakers had to deal with time differences, but the event was a resounding success.
Kana Nomoto, director of sales of the business events team at TCVB, said her team had “explored the best ways to make the event fruitful for everyone”, and the video content was prepared so delegates could “get a feel of the city”.
In closing the event, Cyril Ritchie, UIA president, thanked TCVB for delivering on its brief – to provide a safe, inspiring and engaging event that conveyed the culture of the host city and country – even amid the challenges of the pandemic.
Event UIA Asia-Pacific Round Table Organisers UIA and Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Venue Congres Square Nihonbashi, Tokyo Date October 21–22, 2021 Attendance 70 online and 40 in-person
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has announced the election of its 2022 Board of Directors.
Cathy Breden, executive vice president and chief operating officer at IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events), and CEO of CEIR (Center for Exhibition Industry Research) has transitioned to become the chair of the EIC, having held the role of chair-elect in 2021.
Cathy Breden
In her new position, Breden will be a key representative of the association and support EIC’s CEO, Amy Calvert, and EIC’s standing committees and task forces as they create and implement new research and products to support the global events industry in its recovery.
She will also ensure that EIC progresses towards its Vision 2025 and will have a key focus on growing EIC’s membership internationally where there is an opportunity to implement its education, certification, and accreditation programmes.
Breden will be supported by incoming chair-elect, Sherrif Karamat, president and CEO at PCMA. Karamat has a wealth of knowledge of the global business and events sector and is a respected voice in the industry. Under his leadership, PCMA has become a key player in positioning the industry as a driver for socio-economic change.
Also nominated to the 2022 board are:
Jason Dunn Sr, immediate past chairman, NCBMP (National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals)
Jennifer Glynn, SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) 2020 President
Stephanie Harris, president, The Incentive Research Foundation
Brad Mayne – president and chief executive, IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers)
Finally, Mark Cooper, CEO, IACC (International Association of Conference Centres); Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association); and Ana María Viscasillas, vice president, board of directors, COCAL (Federación de Entidades Organizadoras de Congresos y Afines de Latino América), will continue their terms as board of directors.
The EIC board is comprised of nominated members of the overall EIC that consists of more than 30 organisations in the events industry. These leaders are the governing body for the overall council with fiscal responsibility and strategic direction for all EIC programmes.
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.
