A file photo of this year's Day 1 Knowledge Program at AIME
Events technology company Cvent has partnered Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) this year, and is supporting the first hybrid event that starts today until March 23 in Melbourne, as well as the online version from March 28 to April 1.
As a primary technology partner of the event, AIME will leverage Cvent’s event management platform for their visitor’s registration and onsite solutions including check-in & badging to ensure a seamless and contactless experience for in-person attendees.
A photo of this year’s Day 1 Knowledge Program at AIME
According to Cvent’s most recent Planner Sourcing Report – Australia Edition, nearly half of the planners (45 per cent) are organising hybrid events, indicating the growing confidence in this new digital event landscape.
Cvent’s OnArrival onsite attendee management app will also be showcased at AIME 2022, enabling organisers to welcome back their attendees safely and confidently.
Event brief
World Congress of Nephrology 2022 (WCN’22) brought together the world’s leading experts in kidney health and the wider healthcare community to exchange the latest science and clinical applications in improving kidney care and preventing kidney disease worldwide.
The congress, held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from February 24-27, was jointly organised by the International Society of Nephrology, Malaysian Society of Nephrology and Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology, and supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre).
WCN’22 attracted close to 4,000 delegates, with more than 3,000 attending virtually and over 900 in-person, making this event one the highest turnouts in Malaysia for a medical congress since the pandemic began.
Event highlights
In addition to the scientific themes on kidney failure, chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, WCN’22 also featured sessions on green nephrology and gamified-symposiums to entice greater participation from younger professionals.
Complementing the broad scientific program, there were also short videos profiling challenging but inspirational accounts of people affected by kidney diseases, told with compassion and courage. This was part of the ISN Community Film Event, a unique initiative to raise awareness of the reality of living with kidney diseases.
As a hybrid event, participants from around the world were able to follow the virtual congress’ livestreamed sessions. The sessions were also recorded and made available on-demand directly after the livestream ended.
The virtual element was also supplemented by an in-person programme at the Centre for over 900 delegates, where 100 out of the 1,000 abstract submissions that came from local medical professionals and organisations were discussed face-to-face and virtually with international experts.
Challenges
Organisers had originally planned for a fully virtual congress. However, in November 2021, the government relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in Malaysia and allowed for the resumption of in-person events which had to adhere to strict standard operating procedures. A decision was then made to adapt the event to a hybrid format.
“With only four months to plan for the event, this presented various challenges tied to reorganising the entire programme to cater for both virtual and in-person participants. Our planning had to result in a smooth and seamless virtual and in-person congress,” recalled professor Abdul Halim Gafor, president, Malaysian Society of Nephrology.
According to Abdul, the decision to hold a hybrid version was because “delegates had the benefit of networking with doctors from the region”, as well as “some delegates from neighbouring countries who attended in-person”.
Discussions and exchange of insights and research projects between doctors, he added, were also more fruitful when done face-to-face.
To ensure a smooth and seamless virtual and in-person congress, two main teams, an on-ground team and a virtual team in Belgium, worked closely with the Centre’s in-house information technology team.
Alan Pryor, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, shared: “Everything onsite, which mainly comprised of hardware was handled by the on-ground and Centre’s teams. All the video and audio were collated and sent to the virtual team, which was then in charge of securing it and broadcasting it to the delegates all around the world.
“Our team also worked closely with the organising committee to advise on the best solution to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted hybrid event. This involved partnering with two Internet service providers to have a mainline and backup in place so the virtual and face-to-face elements could be delivered securely and reliably.”
Event World Congress of Nephrology 2022 Organisers International Society of Nephrology, Malaysian Society of Nephrology and Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology Venue Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Dates February 24-27, 2022 Attendance Close to 4,000 delegates of which 900 attended in-person
How important is the role of a meeting planner in this current climate? Considering the increased value that needs to be squeezed out of every meeting or conference that returns, I would say it is critical.
But the role of the venue and the venue’s staff is of equal importance. The hospitality industry has been rocked and leaked talent globally, so choosing a venue that has retained skilled and knowledgeable conference support staff is as important as an experienced meeting planner.
Will there be more hub-and-spoke events, similar to how ICCA held its large-scale association meeting last year? Actually, I feel it is easiest to adopt multi-location meetings for smaller groups, as technology needs are simplified. IACC used it for our meetings where we had groups of between 15 and 50 at each live location, and it worked very well in both Europe and the Americas conferences in 2021.
How about hybrid and virtual events? Will the popularity of both dip or will it be another way for people to meet?
Short-term I believe the dip will be more pronounced as we rush back to live meetings to meet our needs for in-person collaboration. But as this immediate need wanes, I believe we will see more digitally charged live meetings, with some level of remote access commonplace longer term.
Why isn’t a venue just a place to meet now, and needs to have ethical and environmental credentials? Has this become a more important decision-making factor in recent years?
It was important before 2020, but a combination of things has led to an acceleration of efforts now. The race to net zero events is real and events like COP26 has pushed investors hard to effect change in companies they have influence over, which in turn put that demand on the events industry to deliver!
What does an event/meeting of the future look like to you?
I do not think of the future as a revolutionary change happening overnight. I think it will continue to evolve and we will see programmes, as well as expectations on individuals attending events, change too.
Just as we have found better work/life balance through remote and flexible working, I think some conferences may have perhaps been too demanding on people and they might want better balance, and more variety.
What other changes have been brought on by a decentralised work environment, and how will this affect corporate planners and their jobs?
IACC just completed a global study on the topic of how decentralised working may impact the need for externally staged meetings and conferences. I do not see a threat to the meeting planner, especially if, as we think, the need for more external meetings increases to fill the void of not meeting over the water cooler.
As many industry professionals have left during the past two years, how can the industry attract them to come back?
Two things need to happen and quickly. We have to find ways to put the heart back into hospitality, and shake off any past negativity as it relates to job insecurity. This includes creating a working environment that is as close to the customer experience as can possibly happen. We can make it happen, by focusing on the people and not the job or process.
We also need to evaluate candidates differently. If we look to the same attributes and skills for roles as we did pre-pandemic, the recovery will be slowed. But leaders need help in changing past methods, and it can be tough to adapt one’s personal evaluation of a candidate for a role.
Informa Markets has appointed Janice Lee as the new event director for FHA-Food & Beverage and FHA-HoReCa, taking over from Martyn Cox who will be returning to the UK.
In this expanded role, Lee will be event director for both FHA events and HOFEX. She will lead the teams based in both Singapore and Hong Kong to oversee the overall performance and successful execution of both event brands.
She possesses more than 20 years of event management and sales experience with Informa Markets.
Hilton has opened the Conrad Shanghai, the brand’s first foray into the metropolis, located in the heart of People’s Square.
Conrad Shanghai boasts 728 keys across 66 floors, all of which feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Puxi and the Bund. The hotel’s 60 luxury suites, including the Presidential Suite, will have additional access to the Executive Lounge on level 44 which offers exclusive concierge services, workspaces, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails.
There are five F&B options on-site – the modern French Copper Bistro; Chinese restaurant Enclave Eight with private dining rooms for corporate groups; all-day restaurant Lane 11; Asador Mediterranean Dining & Bar; and the Hu Bar on the 65th floor.
Event planners can make use of the 2,500m2 of function space, spread over a 864m2 ballroom that can accommodate up to 600 guests, 13 meetings rooms, as well as Hu’s Penthouse and Hu’s Atelier spaces on the 64th floor.
After a long day of meetings, corporate guests can also unwind with a dip at Conrad Shanghai’s heated swimming pool, work out at the fitness centre, or relax in the hot whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms.
Pullman Hotels & Resorts has reopened The Ambassador Seoul – A Pullman Hotel after a comprehensive 18-month renovation.
Located in the heart of Seoul, the hotel – which first opened for business in 1955 – offers 269 hotel rooms and 49 residences with views of the Namsan N Tower. Club guests will be able to use the Club Ambassador Lounge, which offers private check-in, check-out services, workspaces, and a happy hour.
The property’s six restaurants and bars have also undergone revamp. These include The King’s, which rose to fame first hotel buffet in South Korea in 1975, returns with its traditional and authentic Korean, Asian and European brasserie-style fare, with upmarket items such as Peking duck and king crab. The Lounge & Bar located on the first floor serves afternoon tea and signature cocktails, while Hao Bin offers traditional and authentic Cantonese cuisine. There’s also 1955 Groceria which boasts fresh produce, charcuterie, hotel-branded products, and takeaway menus.
Leisure facilities include an outdoor swimming pool on the fourth floor, an indoor swimming pool, an indoor golf driving range, a fitness, yoga and Pilates studio, and sauna facilities. Corporate travellers with their families in tow will appreciate the Kids Room.
A standout feature for the meetings and events crowd is the hotel’s Namsan Room, located on the 19th floor, a space adorned with a dome-shaped glass window. It also boasts a connecting room to comfortably accommodate larger groups. There are also five meeting rooms, as well as The Grand Ballroom which can hold up to 400 people.
The hotel is a one-and–a-half hour drive from Incheon International Airport and 50 minutes from Gimpo International Airport.
Seasoned hotelier Julian Wipper has been appointed general manager of New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel.
The German brings with him 25 years of luxury hospitality experience around the world.
Wipper joins the hotel from JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La where he was general manager for three years, while concurrently serving as regional champion rooms & guest experience for South-east and Australasia hotels.
Vietnam’s Alma Resort is installing 5,634 solar panels on its extensive infrastructure as part of an ambitious solar power project that is expected to reduce the property’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 72,670 tonnes over a 25-year period and save up to US$16.85 million in electricity bills.
The panels will be mounted on 196 pavilions, two V-shaped towers housing various hotel facilities, and the utility building. Operating at a capacity of 2,480 kilowatts peak, the system will power almost half of the resort’s energy needs, depending on its occupancy rate.
Alma Resorts’ solar power project will reduce the property’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 72,670 tonnes over a 25-year period
According to a statement from Alma, Vietnam has overtaken Thailand as South-east Asia’s largest solar market with hundreds of solar projects under construction. Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler believes it will soon be incumbent for five-star resorts across the country to follow suit.
“With the weather we have in Cam Ranh, it makes total sense for us to take advantage of an abundance of sunlight and embrace a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to electricity,” said Laubichler-Pichler.
The solar rooftop modules throughout the resort are engineered, implemented and financed by German companies C Melchers (Vietnam), Aschoff Solar and a German financial institution.
The resort will pay for the system in savings made on its electricity bills within the first decade of operation.
“After the costs are taken out to pay for the solar technology, Alma will still save an additional US$1.96 million on electricity within this 10-year timeframe,” Laubichler-Pichler said.
The resort’s solar project is expected to generate 3.83 million kilowatt hours of energy in its first year of operation. Excess solar energy from one part of the system is used by other facilities on the grid.
The resort also launched a mobile app called Alma Resort last year, which allows contactless communication between guests and staff in real-time during the pandemic, and also serves as a sustainable solution with digital menus, resort maps, and more.
S Hotels and Resorts has appointed Bart Callens as the new cluster general manager of SAii Phi Phi Island Village and SAii Laguna Phuket, two five-star resorts in southern Thailand.
Callens has more than 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, with a career spanning four continents – Europe, North America, Africa and Asia – and roles with some of the world’s leading hotel brands. He is also an F&B expert, having led the culinary teams in many major hotels and resorts around the globe, and even a year on a Cunard cruise liner.
He has held leadership roles in South-east Asia for more than a decade.
Singapore’s business events calendar features strong line-up for 2022
Resilient business events community is fully invested in sector’s recovery
Post-lockdown events require remodelling to address attendees’ expectations
A 2018 edition of BuildTech Asia, which returns as a hybrid event this year
More than 20 major physical exhibitions and conferences will be taking place in Singapore between February and October this year, underscoring the city’s importance as a business events hub.
This steadily growing number comprises 13 shows returning after postponement or virtual versions, while three debut events hope to break new ground.
Richard Ireland, president, Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), acknowledged the pandemic’s severe impact on the business events industry and the current critical phase of recovery.
“Despite unprecedented challenges, the success of over 200 pilot events, including the Singapore Airshow, ITAP and Bloomberg New Economy Forum, validates that large-scale events can be run safely in a controlled environment without zoning restrictions,” he said.
“With a strong line-up of events in 2022 such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Shangri-La Dialogue and Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), there is a sense of optimism and excitement among the industry that we are on the right track towards a more normalised environment this year.”
Strength in numbers Singapore’s business events calendar kicked off with the Singapore Airshow 2022, held from February 20-25. The event drew almost 13,000 trade attendees from more than 39 countries/regions, with over 70 per cent of the top 20 global aerospace companies making an appearance.
“We are thrilled that our exhibitors and visitors came together for conversations, and more importantly to collaborate,” said Leck Chet Lam, managing director, Experia, organiser of Singapore Airshow. “We are especially appreciative of returning exhibitors who demonstrated their commitment to the industry.”
Meanwhile, currently ongoing is the 11th edition of BuildTech Asia (BTA) from March 15-17. Held at the Singapore EXPO & MAX Atria, the hybrid event expects to welcome more than 10,000 in-person and online attendees from over 120 physical and virtual exhibitors, and 44 industry associations and partners from 16 participating countries. More than 10 per cent of the physical exhibition features Asian exhibitors, including Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and China.
“BTA can play a pivotal role in helping industry players map out a sustainable business transformation journey, foster new partnerships, and plug into a comprehensive global network of industry experts and peers,” said Chua Wee Phong, chief executive (markets) of Constellar, the organiser.
Also happening this week is the 17th edition of the biennial Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) exhibition and conference being held at Marina Bay Sands from March 16-18. Billed as the first large-scale maritime trade event in South-east Asia, APM will feature six official pavilions with some 7,000 delegates expected to attend in person.
“As a tradeshow serving the maritime industry, where the latest engines and navigational systems often take the spotlight, the opportunity to demonstrate and see the products on display cannot be easily replicated online,” said Yeow Hui Leng, group project director, RX, organiser of APM.
The conference and workshops are free for all attendees. “We hope the learning and networking opportunities offered will help to pivot companies and professionals for a brighter future,” said Yeow.
Moving forward, the Asia Climate Forum will return from April 18-20 under new owner MMI Asia, a subsidiary of Messe München. It will be co-located with CleanEnviro Summit, itself part of SIWW.
Other returnees at press time include Milipol Asia-Pacific (May 18-20); Asia Tech x Singapore (renamed from ConnectTechAsia; May 31 to June 3); Shangri-La Dialogue (June 10-12); Speciality & Fine Food Asia (June 22-24) with new component Speciality Coffee & Tea Asia; World Cities Summit 2022 (July 31 to August 3); OS+H Asia 2022, Seafood Expo 2022 and FHA-Food & Beverage in September; followed by FHA-HoReCa and FLAsia 2022 in October.
New entrants, in the meantime, include Global Health Security Conference 2022 (June 28 to July 1), FIND – Design Fair Asia (September 22-24) and Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia (October 26-28).
Ernie Koh, Singapore Furniture Industry Council presidential advisor and chairman of IFFS, believes the business events industry will steadily rebound.
“We will keep the industry informed on the next iteration of IFFS when we are ready to share more on a new format which aligns with industry demand and launched with the right conditions in place,” he elaborated.
Work in progress Although Singapore’s business events industry warmly welcomes the robust roster of slated events, the future of several tradeshows remains uncertain.
For instance, the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) recently announced that it will not proceed with its Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference scheduled from May 8-12, but has indicated it remains “committed to returning to Singapore with a live exhibition in 2023”.
The thrice-postponed IBTM Asia Pacific seems to be another casualty. The event website now states the new show dates will be April 4-5, 2023, although organiser RX has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the postponement.
Despite Singapore’s reopening, observation and inquiries among the trade suggest that foreign participation remains low, as sellers and buyers need certainty when deciding whether to participate. At press time, Singapore hasn’t moved to the endemic stage and measures vacillate to ensure public health safety.
Given slim pickings, it remains to be seen if the Singapore market can sustain similarly-themed tradeshows, even if they position themselves as distinct.
Business events consultant Lloyd Tan commented: “Strategic business models of the pre-Covid era need a rethink and reshape. Covid-19 has opened up many options. Running a physical event post-Covid will be very different in meeting the expectations of exhibitors, conference delegates and trade attendees. These events need remodelling to address attendees’ behavioural pattern changes.
“The trend today is about forging partnerships and alliances to stay on top of the game. If an organiser is not taking this route, then resetting, rethinking and reshaping the business model as the way forward, it will be left behind by competitors.”
SACEOS’ Ireland agrees there is still much work to be done and more clarity needed on the reopening roadmap for the industry.
“That said, the recent announcement of simplified safe management measures (SMM) and plans to reopen our borders inject further confidence that the MICE and events industry can once again be a key contributor and enabler of Singapore’s economy.”
Montgomery Asia’s managing director Christopher McCuin added: “I hope the SMMs can be further relaxed as soon as safely possible to ensure we keep pace with other major global MICE destinations.
“Any rule relaxation should provide all participants with a conducive, fun and engaging environment for doing business, with health and safety remaining a core consideration.”
Just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport on the serene northern coast, this 178-key, Bill Bensley-designed resort offers delegates a quiet, tropical paradise steeped in Phuket’s tin-mining heritage
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