Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is now able to host events at up to 75 per cent capacity per event space, to a maximum of 5,000 attendees, following the implementation of stringent health and safety measures.
MCEC has an approved COVIDSafe Event plan from the Victorian Government, and approved measures include methods to ensure contact tracing, changes to F&B service and physical distancing, as well as preventing attendance at events by delegates from designated red zones.
MCEC found creative ways to make use of their large spaces during this time
Meanwhile, the convention centre’s own VenueSafe Plan includes restricting building access to event attendees only, with no general public access allowed; health check stations at each entry point, including access to regular hand sanitising; frequent routine cleaning and signage prominently displayed to indicate 1.5 metre physical distancing; and training employees on Covid-19 safety and sanitisation protocols.
Peter King, chief executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, said MCEC is excited to see the gradual return of events to the venue.
“While we have been innovative throughout the pandemic to ensure continued use of the space, we are thrilled to be able to host exhibitions and other events again,” he said.
Association heads have deployed several methods to ensure continuity during this pandemic, such as adopting new ways to reach out to members, starting an academy to provide education to members, and coming up with projects and content.
These were just some of the best practices and tips shared during the (APAC) Outlook 2021: Preparing Your Association for the New Year webinar on January 20.
Seet: deployed strategies to step up community engagement resulting in a growth in registrations
A speaker, International Coaching Federation’s (Singapore Chapter) president Jada Seet, said the chapter had encouraged members to step up community engagement by volunteering to lead new projects “to create a sense of belonging” and ownership. And to enhance the online experience for members, the chapter created pre-event activities and speed dating after.
Seet shared that the chapter had not been impacted economically as the need for coaching increased and those in the sector had to learn how to adapt and transition from offline to online, while keeping in mind how to increase the human touch and emphasise community through technology during the pandemic.
In fact, the chapter, which relies on membership fees as its revenue model, saw a 40 per cent increase in registrations in 2020.
Meanwhile, Marcel Ewals, director, associations and marketing, MCI Group, pointed out member engagement was the “priority in 2021”, and the answer was to transform traditional top-down committees to be more diverse by including younger members and “outsiders” in building project groups and content.
Ewals said MCI was championing a “self-driven, project-driven and technology-driven strategy to help clients transition to become more interactive and creative to give members value with no face-to-face events”.
Over in India, to prevent Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) members from “incurring huge losses” if they could not transition from offline to online when the country went into lockdown on February 25, the 56-year-old entity took its case to the Supreme Court to prevent the industry from collapsing.
FADA CEO Saharsh Damani described its legal undertaking as a “learning phase” and the biggest challenge was how to make others learn.
By taking a more focused approach and increasing its branding initiatives through social media, Damani said FADA increased webinar attendance 10-fold, and key points discussed were documented in its daily newswire and fleshed out in its newsletter.
Apart from educating members on upcoming trends and government regulations, FADA created an academy, currently offering online courses and is looking at organising one- or two-day physical classroom sessions.
The federation, which has 2,600 Life Members, has tasked itself to speak to 10 members a day and to reach its entire membership at least once, on the telephone or via Zoom.
Calling India’s January 16 vaccination rollout good news and kickstarting 2021 on a good note, Damani “thinks the worse is behind us now”. He forecasts growth starting in April and is optimistic about demand in September/October, the country’s next festive season.
As for Melbourne-based Nick Koerbin, executive director, Association Executive Services, he urged associations to develop and put in place policies on data collection, data security and data privacy.
The 20-year association management veteran foresees the rationalisation and merger of associations as some of those which have been around for a long time will not survive if they do not adapt quickly, accelerate their technology know-how and are not able to manage change.
Koerbin opined future face-to-face events would be smaller and for associations to avoid online event fatigue by setting a very clear agenda and limiting sessions to no more than 45 minutes.
AIME was one of the last tradeshows to be held in 2020 before Covid-19 became a full-blown outbreak
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has cancelled its 2021 event, which was scheduled to be hosted both at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and online in March, due to Covid-19 concerns.
Matt Pearce, CEO of event organiser Talk2 Media & Events, shared that the event faced challenges brought about by international and domestic travel restrictions despite healthy interest for the event from exhibitors and buyers.
AIME was one of the last tradeshows to be held in 2020 before Covid-19 became a full-blown outbreak
“As the past year has shown, it’s difficult to predict if border closures will be required to slow the spread of future outbreaks.”
However, he acknowledged that these challenges were not unique to AIME, but one of the many challenges the business events industry is currently facing.
With support from the Melbourne Convention Bureau, AIME has begun contacting attendees, including those who have already registered, to manage existing bookings and arrangements, as well as event refunds.
“As we navigate through these trying times, we remain optimistic that business events will adapt, innovate and emerge stronger than ever,” added Pearce.
AIME’s upcoming event will take place on March 21-23, 2022, with full details to follow in the coming months.
The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) wants to be a part of the national vaccination plan for Covid-19 and will soon propose the idea to relevant authorities to make use of convention centres as Covid-19 vaccination venues.
Its president, Francis Teo, said: “We would like to be part of the solution to get 70 per cent of the population vaccinated to reach the herd immunity threshold and for the recovery of the economy.
MITEC wants to play a part in helping to vaccinate the population; has a space large enough for a drive-through option
“Convention centres as vaccination centres are ideal as it has the space to be (segregated) into waiting areas, vaccination zones and many venues also have ample parking spaces for the public. It would also help relieve the load on public healthcare facilities. The more vaccination centres established, the faster would be the process towards recovery,” he stated.
Mala Dorasamy, director of marketing and sales at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), agreed.
She shared: “We, as well as other industry members, are keen to work with the government to repurpose unused spaces to function as vaccination sites or storage spaces for vaccines, essential equipment and medical supplies. It could reduce the logistical burden on hospitals and healthcare services while helping the centres reduce overhead costs. MITEC also has sufficient space to offer a drive-through option, if required.”
Alan Pryor, general manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is also supportive of this move.
“This initiative demonstrates the value convention centres bring to the city and its people, beyond its role as a venue provider for events. The Centre is prepared, if called upon, to be a vaccination venue and urge all other venue operators to aid this cause as we band together to battle Covid-19,” Pryor said.
The National Vaccination Plan is scheduled to start in February. Last month, Malaysia’s science, technology and innovation minister, Khairy Jamaluddin said the government has allocated RM2 billion (US$507 million) for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.
Pre-pandemic, Angkor Wat has drawn a rising tide of Indian tourists due to the deep-rooted historical connections between the two countries
Cambodia and India have agreed to start direct flight connections and promote closer tourism exchanges and cooperation in all areas after the Covid-19 crisis subsides.
The agreement was reached during a meeting last week between Cambodian tourism minister Thong Khon and Indian ambassador to Cambodia, Devyani Uttam Khobragade, the Phnom Penh Post reported.
Pre-pandemic, Angkor Wat has drawn a rising tide of Indian tourists due to the deep-rooted historical connections between the two countries
Khon was quoted by the report as saying that the two countries have a long history of cultural and religious ties, with holy sites across India playing host to hordes of Cambodians on religious tours pre-pandemic.
To foster active tourism cooperation, he urged the Indian government to reschedule religious tour packages after Covid-19 had been stamped out.
Khobragade fully backed a direct air route connecting the two countries as “it will bring a lot of benefits to the tourism sector, considering how young Indians nowadays really like these kinds of tourism tours”.
Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association president Khieu Thy told The Post that direct flights with India would be a boon for Cambodia.
Ancient Khmer temples remain a major drawcard for Indian visitors, he said, noting how closely related the religions that inspired their construction are with those of India.
“The number of Indian tourists coming to Angkor Wat has increased every year (with the exception of 2020) and this will create more jobs for local people,” Thy said.
An MoU between Cambodia and India that authorises the rights to operate a direct flight was signed back in 2002, according to Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation spokesman Sin Chansereyvutha.
Nearly 1.3 million international tourists visited Cambodia in the first 11 months of last year, down 78.2 per cent as compared to the same period in 2019, according to official data. Indians accounted for 12,869 visitors, marking a 80.2 per cent drop from the 65,077 tallied in the same period in 2019.
Sands Resorts Macao has launched 2021 More Than Just Meetings offer.
It is available for booking from now until June 30, 2021, for stays until December 31, 2021.
Under the offer, event organisers will be able to enjoy five per cent discount on the master bill; one complimentary room for every 25 rooms booked; one complimentary room upgrade for every 25 rooms booked; 15 per cent discount on gondola rides and 50 per cent discount on Eiffel Tower experience; and up to 50 per cent discount on selected in-house entertainment.
Event planners can enjoy the above offers when reserving over 201 rooms on a minimum of one of the nights within their stay period.
Smaller events that require fewer rooms will also have the opportunity to enjoy two benefits for 25 to 100 rooms booked daily; up to four benefits for 151 to 200 rooms booked on minimum of one of the nights.
More Than Just Meetings is available at Sands Resorts Macao hotels including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Conrad Macao, Sheraton Grand Macao and The St. Regis Macao.
In addition, Sands Resorts Macao has launched Sands SafeStay, a comprehensive programme of cleanliness and disinfection measures that ensure the safety of guests throughout its integrated resorts from arrival to check-in and check-out and departure, combatting the risk of the Covid-19 virus.
As a further guarantee, if a booked group cannot travel to Macau due to restrictions arising from the Covid-19, event organisers can reschedule within one year without incurring cancellation charges (up until 30 days before arrival date).
With mass gatherings still restricted in Singapore over the upcoming Chinese New Year period, events specialist Chab Lab has developed two unique entertainment options for companies looking to ring in the Year of the Ox with their colleagues and business partners.
Chab Lab will bring the traditional Lion Dance to the targeted audience virtually. Using Augmented Reality (AR) technology, a corporate branded Lion Dance can come alive on smartphone. Guests can also interact with the Lion Dance via smartphones.
Corporate clients also have the option to deliver a Lo Hei kit to each and every participant of the digital event. Guests will receive an individual Yu Sheng set, and a mass Lo Hei session will be conducted via an online conferencing tool to close off the celebrations.
IATA Travel Pass enables Emirates passengers to create a 'digital passport'
Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to trial the IATA Travel Pass – a mobile app to help passengers securely manage their travel in line with any government requirements for Covid-19 testing or vaccine information.
The app enables Emirates passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to verify that their pre-travel test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination. They will also be able to share the test and vaccination certificates with authorities and airlines to facilitate travel. Travellers will also be able to manage their travel documentation digitally on the app.
The IATA Travel Pass enables Emirates passengers to create a ‘digital passport’
Prior to a full roll-out, Emirates will implement phase one in Dubai for the validation of Covid-19 PCR tests before departure. In this initial phase, expected to begin in April, Emirates customers travelling from Dubai will be able to share their Covid-19 test status directly with the airline before reaching the airport through the app, which will then auto-populate the details on the check-in system.
Within the app, the integrated registry of travel requirements will also enable passengers to find accurate information on travel and entry requirements for all destinations regardless of where they are travelling from.
It will also include a registry of testing and eventually vaccination centres – making it more convenient for passengers to find testing centres and labs at their departure location which meet the standards for testing and vaccination requirements of their destination. The platform will then enable authorised labs and test centres to securely send test results or vaccination certificates to passengers.
Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security, said: “This is the first step in making international travel during the pandemic as convenient as possible giving people the confidence that they are meeting all Covid-19 entry requirements by governments.
“As borders re-open, IATA Travel Pass will be further enhanced with more capabilities to meet all governments testing or vaccination verification requirements and Emirates customers will be among the first to have these services.”
New Zealand has won hosting rights for the International Coral Reef Society’s Symposium, a major global conference on coral reefs highlighting the plight of the South Pacific to the rest of the world.
It will be held in mid-2025 in Auckland at the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Around 2,500 scientists, environmental managers, conservationists are expected to attend, contributing NZ$6 million (US$4.3 million) to the economy.
Coral reefs in Fiji
Coral reefs are a vital part of marine ecosystems but are being destroyed by global warming and ocean acidification, as well as more localised threats such as agricultural run-off, poor fishing practices and coastal development.
The prediction for coral reefs around the world is bleak and many could be completely gone in just a few decades. This loss will not only have massive implications for marine biodiversity, but socio-economic impacts for those countries and regions that depend heavily on coral reefs, such as New Zealand’s neighbours in the South Pacific.
Tourism New Zealand and the Auckland Convention Bureau worked alongside Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Auckland and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Fijian office to secure the event.
Michael Sweet, corresponding secretary of the International Coral Reef Society reflected on why the New Zealand bid was a success, beating out other nations like Italy.
“We were particularly impressed by the inclusivity of the New Zealand approach in identifying the importance of Māori culture and the natural environment and also the partnership with the Pacific.”
Tourism New Zealand’s global manager business Events Lisa Gardiner added: “It’s a real boost for the sector as we head into 2021 that we’ve got a number of great conferences in the pipeline. We are forging ahead to keep New Zealand an attractive place to host business events so the industry can keep staff employed and keep these high-value visitors coming to New Zealand.”
SIA said the new online portal will also be able to house digital health passes that show a passenger's Covid-19 status.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
All Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers flying outbound from Singapore and Indonesia (bound for Singapore) will be able to book pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serology tests as part of a trial service.
The pre-departure test service – conducted in partnership with Collinson – is currently available to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir passengers departing from Singapore, Jakarta and Medan, as part of its pilot test phase. The pilot will run until mid-March, and there are plans to expand this service to more cities in the SIA and SilkAir network over the next few months if it is successful.
The new portal will also house a digital health pass that will display a passenger’s Covid-19 status
With pre-departure testing becoming a mandatory requirement for more countries, this new service allows SIA customers to book their test appointments on an online booking portal after making their flight bookings.
Customers can make an appointment for a pre-departure test with their preferred in-city clinic from a given list of testing facilities. Upon completion of their test, customers will automatically receive notification of their test results within 36 hours through the same portal, which if negative, can be presented upon check-in at the airport.
These test results will come with a QR code that enables airport check-in staff and Singapore immigration authorities to verify under the new digital health verification process that SIA is piloting with the International Air Transport Association. The portal will also be able to house digital Covid-19 status.
Todd Handcock, Asia-Pacific president of Collinson Group, said this will enable the safe reopening of key routes for travellers.
“While there’s optimism that the roll-out of vaccines will help bring an end to the pandemic, there remains a complex road ahead. In order to restore confidence in travel, the implementation of safe and robust testing protocols remains key,” he added.
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