Auckland chalks up two conference wins

December 2, 2020

Auckland-skyline — The New Zealand government has allowed business events of no more than a 100 to start; Auckland skyline pictured

The city of Auckland has won the hosting rights for two conferences – the International Association of Women in Police (IAWP) Annual Conference, and the International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) – both scheduled for 2023.

This will be the first time IAWP will be held in New Zealand. The five-day conference will happen in September, and is set to attract more than 600 senior police, researchers and policymakers from around the world – all dedicated to strengthening the profile and inclusion of women in the Police.

These two wins are a boon for the economy after a challenging year; Auckland skyline pictured

Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB), a division of Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) with support from Tourism New Zealand, worked alongside the Australasian Council of Women and Policing and the New Zealand Police joined forces to bring the conference to the country. It is worth an estimated NZ$1.3 million (US$920,205) to the local economy.

Auckland will also have the chance to showcase its expertise in science and engineering in the same year at ICWES.

It will be the first time the flagship event has been held in New Zealand in its 56-year history.

Over 450 delegates from across the world are expected to attend the five-day conference to discuss the importance of diversity and growth of women within the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The conference will deliver an NZ$881,000 economic contribution to Auckland and almost 2,600 visitor nights.

Tourism New Zealand’s global manager business events, Lisa Gardiner says securing these. conferences is a hugely positive signal for the sector.

“It will give a much-needed boost to our business events sector just knowing that we’ve got great events like this down the pipeline. The sector contributes so much to New Zealand, not just in economic terms. With a number of key conferences choosing New Zealand that focus on women, it is a huge opportunity to share knowledge that will bring long-lasting benefits to Kiwis.”

Three ways event managers can get the most out of online event platforms

By Industry Expert

December 2, 2020

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In light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, more and more events are taking place online. But thanks to digital platforms, it’s easier than ever for businesses to deliver meetings, conferences and seminars via the Internet.

We’ve seen a rapid shift to digital platforms: in April, Microsoft announced that all of its events will be “digital-only until July 2021” due to the coronavirus pandemic, while many others, such as Apple, Facebook, IBM, Dell, Intel, and SAP, have followed suit.

Moving events reduce costs and carbon footprints, while make attendance accessible to a wider audience

So while the short-term future of events may be digital, “going online” isn’t as simple as downloading a tool, switching it on and asking delegates to participate, especially for those that need to host global events in multiple languages.

For these businesses, the only real option is an online conference platform capable of delivering events at scale and to a multilingual audience.

But with so many different online conference platforms to choose from, what should you be looking for and how can you get the most out of the technology? Here is a quick checklist for event managers looking for a capable online conferencing platform for their next conference.

1. Get technical
Taking your events online requires much more than just a platform – you need a partner that’s capable of helping you to configure and manage your event.

The right provider will be able to explain how the solution works, implement it for you and provide dedicated support before, during and after your events.

Other questions to ask include, if they:

Provide training to you and your team on how to use the platform?
Offer dedicated support before, during and after the event?
Help set up any equipment? (Not so much providing the equipment itself, but explaining how to get the best possible audio/video quality out of current devices)
Record audio and/or video for use after the event, including for transcripts?

These are all relatively obvious questions to ask, but they must be asked nonetheless. To make the most of your online conference platform, find a supplier that can help you with every aspect of it as this will significantly help improve your event.

2. Remote events
In the current climate, the only feasible way businesses can host large online events for audiences of multiple languages is to connect attendees and organisers remotely.

This kind of technology enables people to work from anywhere, and without the use of complicated specialist equipment – they can simply use their own laptop in any location that they choose.

With an online conference platform in place, the plus side is that there is:

No need to bring equipment onsite – events become much more resilient as if there’s a problem onsite, for example, if equipment stops working, or someone is unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, they have the option to work remotely.
More flexibility – events are no longer restricted to a single location and can be moved online with anyone delivering their services remotely. More people are also able to attend as they are no longer restricted by travel and events could even be hosted as hybrid or cluster events – part onsite, part online.
Lower costs – no need to pay guests or speakers for travel or accommodation, only for their services. The money saved can then be spent on providing a stunning event experience, such as offering the event content in more languages, inviting guest speakers and working with media sponsors.

3. Host a more inclusive event
When you take your events online you reduce and/or remove a few barriers to entry – mainly location, time and cost. But what about language?

Onsite events are limited in that there’s only so much space for interpreter booths, so often only the few most popular languages are chosen – space which could have been used to host more attendees.

However, by taking events online you don’t have to worry about space and can enlist as many interpreters as you like. Also, because your events are now online, you suddenly have access to a much larger audience.

The money saved on infrastructure can be used to acquire more conference-level interpreters, including for language interpreters for only a few delegates. Not only will this attract more people to your online events, it will also make them more inclusive as it shows you have considered everyone.

Platform for success
Virtual events have quickly become the new norm, and for good reason.

Being able to host events from anywhere in the world can save a serious amount of investment while still allowing businesses to engage with global audiences and potential customers, generate leads, build brand awareness and establish themselves as industry leaders.

Virtual events have been an effective way to reach people all over the world a long time before the pandemic hit, they simply became much more important in the aftermath.

Practicing sustainability during a pandemic

By Pamela Chow

December 2, 2020

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Marina Bay Sands was built around its sustainability features. What consideration led to the construction of these elements?
As a Sands property, Marina Bay Sands is guided by its global sustainability strategy Sands ECO360 to minimise environmental impact, and lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations.

During the design and construction phase, energy conservation and efficient water usage were high on the agenda. To reduce the need for additional lighting, the building was designed to introduce abundant natural daylight to illuminate indoor areas. Specially designed convex and concave roofs reduce heat gain into the podium interior. Sun shading across the glass façade in the form of balconies, vertical fins and canopies were also installed.

How were the types of measures and equipment decided upon?
Our practice is to adopt an evidence-based, impact-first approach when introducing any sustainability initiatives on property. We also constantly find new ways to make our operations more resource-efficient.

For instance, we introduced five anaerobic digesters in the third year of operations after studying what the industry was doing and how we could do better. We conducted extensive research and piloted different solutions before we decided on the right one for the company.

To continue making our business even more sustainable, we constantly talk to peers in the industry and are always looking to embrace new technologies. For instance, we have now enhanced our food waste minimisation efforts, using food waste technology in selected kitchens to help chefs monitor and reduce the amount of food waste produced.

What difficulties did the resort face in implementing and maintaining its sustainability efforts?
The main challenge for any organisation implementing and maintaining its sustainability efforts is how well it engages its stakeholders and rallies them towards a common vision. From suppliers and vendors to team members, we actively engage stakeholders in the sustainability journey, sharing our goals and encouraging them to make business decisions that reduce environmental impact wherever possible.

What are some examples of such responsible business decisions?
Our sustainable purchasing policy provides guidelines to vendors, encouraging them to adopt solutions, materials and goods that minimise environmental impact. The purchasing policy covers a wide range of supplies, such as responsible food sourcing and earth-friendly packaging materials.

Procurement teams are also guided by this policy and consciously review procurement decisions. Chefs collaborate closely with vendors and procurement teams to plan dishes made with sustainable ingredients. Overall, advocating a culture of sustainability empowers over 10,000 team members to create a positive impact not only at Marina Bay Sands but also in their personal lives.

How much more challenging is maintaining Marina Bay Sands’ sustainability commitment during this pandemic, as the higher hygiene standards necessitate single-use packaging and more resources for sterilisation?
Like any other business, we have been trying to navigate the ongoing pandemic. Hygiene and sanitisation priorities are higher than ever, but we continue to stay focused on the goal to decouple our environmental footprint from our business growth.

We are scrutinising the chemicals in cleaning products and choosing those that are enzyme-based, PH neutral, safe and non-toxic to sanitise all high-touch surfaces. Our restaurants also provide all diners with a paper mask-holder made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper. While these are a few examples of what we have been doing, the team at Marina Bay Sands is proactively looking for solutions to continue minimising our impact on the environment even in the midst of this pandemic.

As small business gatherings slowly trickle back, are clients still concerned about sustainability, on top of safety and hygiene?
We’re seeing the gradual resumption of Singapore’s MICE industry and have been the proud host of several recent pilot hybrid events held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Throughout the course of this pandemic, we’ve seen how clients had to adjust very quickly to the evolving situation, revamp their business models, fine-tune delegate engagement strategies and move towards new event formats.

While the focus in the industry has been on business survival together with safety and hygiene, we continue to help clients run sustainable events at no additional cost to them.

As we look towards the new normal, what initiatives is the team currently working on to further your sustainability accomplishments?
One key partnership we’re really excited about is our investment in the Drop by Drop Project with Seven Clean Seas, a Singapore-based social enterprise tackling plastic pollution in our oceans. Our support will go towards the development of the River Plastic Recovery System, a floating plastic collection system that captures river plastic before it reaches the ocean.

We’re also looking for more ways to diversify our sources and increase support for local food producers. Marina Bay Sands currently procures 63.5 per cent of our food within Asia-Pacific, and we are making steady progress towards our 75 per cent target. To minimise food waste, we’re looking at expanding our existing unserved food donation partnerships with local food banks, and also plan to halve our food loss and waste by 2030.

TTGmice goes on festive break

By TTGmice

December 2, 2020

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TTGmice will be taking a break from December 4 after a very challenging year. We’ll be back on January 5, 2021, and will definitely continue to bring you the most breaking news in the business events industry.

The entire TTG Asia Media team wishes all readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Stay safe and healthy!

First DoubleTree by Hilton resort opens in Sri Lanka

By TTGmice

December 2, 2020

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Hilton has opened the DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort, a new three-story, 78-room modern property in Weerawila.

The resort is situated within the Weerawila Bird Sanctuary which is home to over 400 species of birds.

Event planners may avail the 929m² of meeting space which includes the pillarless Grand Ballroom which can accommodate up to 600 banquet-style, and the Weaver Meeting which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Lake Weerawila.

Guestrooms come equipped with a 49-inch HDTV with entertainment hub, Wi-Fi, and has either a terrace or balcony. After a long day of meetings, corporate travellers can unwind at the 24-hour fitness centre, do laps in the 75m-long outdoor swimming pool, book a yoga session, or luxuriate in the spa. There is also a

Other facilities include a Karaoke Lounge and Tea Jar by the Lake, as well as two restaurants and three bars such as the seafood restaurant Redshank.

DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort is located 25km from Mattala Rajapakse International Airport and just over a half-hour drive from Hambantota Port district, an up and coming commercial zone in the south of the country.

A&K selects Martin Froggatt for group leadership position

By TTGmice

December 1, 2020

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Abercrombie & Kent has appointed Martin Froggatt as executive vice president, destination management and member of the Global Management Board.

This new role encompasses global leadership across A&K’s DMCs; of over 55 offices in more than 30 countries, and its luxury riverboat and lodges brand, Sanctuary Retreats.

Froggatt joins the business with over 25 years experience in the travel industry with brands such as Walt Disney Attractions, TUI and Travelopia in both the UK and the US.

A race for relevancy

By Karen Yue

December 1, 2020

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The accelerated digitalisation of business events throughout the pandemic and travel crisis has threatened the existence of convention and exhibition venues, forcing a change in their traditional roles, observed industry leaders.

During the Venue Technology Update presentation on October 7, part of ICCA Congress 2020’s six-week-long Global Hybrid Congress Experience, speaker Manish Chandak, president and CEO of Ungerboeck Software International, noted that changes in the way events are delivered today are “hitting venues the hardest”.

This is what the future of events looks like – think online video conferences to socially-distanced seating at physical events

“There is a fear that venues are being left behind,” Manish said, adding that “venues have to fiercely fight for onsite events because that is the core of our industry”.

To fight right in today’s environment, Manish said venues would need technology that allows them to establish high levels of collaboration with event organisers, as well as agility to manoeuvre from large-scale physical gatherings to smaller scale online or hybrid events at short notice. Such abilities will give event organisers confidence to commit to the venue and begin planning.

Manish further suggested that venues adopt an events portal that will enable collaboration between all parties through continuous and transparent task management; sharing of attendee lists and functions and orders; room diagramming systems to allow continuous updating of an event design with social distancing and flow; mobile tasks and checklists that demonstrate safety guarantee through evidence and action; visitor tracking capability that allows self-serve; sign-in for visitors prior to the event, with the option of asking about recent travel and current health; and a sophisticated event showcase that projects the venue as a highly technical destination capable of bringing the organiser’s content to life.

A change in business model is also needed, opined Sven Bossu, CEO of the International Association of Conventions Centres (AIPC), who urged venues to become “content incubators” going forward.

“Venues will need to provide multi-channel platforms that enable organisers to connect with their communities and distribute content in the way delegates want it. Venues will no longer be selling square metres and catering packages; no more pre-established price list; no more use of technology just for advertising earnings,” he elaborated.

A case study: ICC Sydney
The government-imposed shutdown of all in-person events during the pandemic led International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney to alter its operations and services to remain relevant to clients.

It launched its virtual event offerings in March, which then evolved into Hybrid Event Solutions. Debuting in July, the solution merges technology with live experiences.

Geoff Donaghy, CEO of ICC Sydney, said: “This has enabled our clients to continue to run events, both during the height of the pandemic and as restrictions ease. As we look ahead, this service will allow for the continued transition back to more and bigger in-person events, which we know there is strong appetite for, and give clients greater choice in the longer term.”

Since March, ICC Sydney has delivered more than 100 world-class events in a virtual or hybrid format.

And as the appetite for online and hybrid events continue to grow, the venue finds itself innovating further. In October, it launched ICC Sydney Connect, offering end-to-end virtual and hybrid event solutions that allow clients to broadcast their virtual events from a state-of-the-art studio with a customisable interface.

These transitions are supported by a team that is “fully equipped with the latest collaboration and communications technology to ensure they can work effectively while at their desk, from home or from any space within the venue,” added Donaghy.

Casting his eyes on the longer-term future, Donaghy expects venue operators to see a “different business and sector”. What would put ICC Sydney in good stead for that future is its role as “an incubator for ideas, a champion for change and advocate for the community”.

“While the way we run events will continue to evolve, and virtual and hybrid formats will be part of the future, there is nothing quite like the experience of meeting in person,” he concluded.

Catering for creativity

By Pamela Chow

December 1, 2020

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Despite the major blow to the hospitality and events industry due to the pandemic, hotels in Asia-Pacific have been swift on their feet to adapt.

Since as early as April, many have reopened their doors to domestic clients and intimate business gatherings – but gone are the days of catered canapes and laissez-faire networking.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s boxed afternoon tea set

Instead, with stricter hygiene protocols and social distancing measures in place, what awaits is a suite of new catering solutions. Clients no longer return to the buffet lines of old, but are instead greeted with fresh, out-of-the-box F&B experiences.

Unique angles
For many hospitality brands, the downtime presented an opportunity to revise their strategies and explore ways in which creative catering can thrive in a world with pandemic restrictions.

For instance, One Farrer Hotel Singapore’s Meals-on-Wheels package delivers gourmet lunches and coffee break bites to the homes of delegates attending remote events.

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore has formulated hybrid catering packages that include individually-boxed meals, sustainable food packaging, and plant-based menus.

And as part of its HY-brid meeting concept, Hyatt Group also delivers its F&B offerings – such as lunch bento boxes and cocktail kits – to the homes of virtual event attendees.

At the Australasian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition 2020 in Hyatt Regency Sydney, individual bento boxes and afternoon tea caddies were part of the safe dining experience. Taking several steps further, Grand Hyatt Singapore brought back Le Peit Chef, an immersive dining adventure in the hotel’s mezza9 La Cave wine cellar featuring a theatrical 3D projection mapping performance. Limited to just eight people per seating, this offering has sold out bookings for every session since its launch.

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel expects greater focus on food safety and sustainability

Andreas Stalder, senior vice president – F&B operations and product development, Hyatt Group, said: “Creativity is key for restart and recovery efforts in our industry. We have been listening to event and meeting planners, PCOs, corporate customers and World of Hyatt members throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – and what we have learnt is that we need to reimagine the event and meeting experience with a focus on hygiene and well-being, cost-effective and seamless meeting solutions, and flexible cancellation policies.”

As a mark of assurance, all of Hyatt’s 149 hotels in Asia Pacific have a Hygiene & Wellbeing Leader to oversee the execution of the Group’s Care & Cleanliness Commitment. The properties have completed the first phase of this programme, and are currently preparing for the second phase, which is obtaining the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s STAR Facility Accreditation before the end of 2020.

For The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, the shift towards individual food packaging has spurred conversations about sustainability as well as personalised food safety.

“I believe that with the effects of Covid-19, guests are taking a keen interest in their immunity system, which ultimately leads to a greater awareness of food functionality and food safety.

“(Additionally,) a hotel’s catering and events scene post-Covid-19 will (also) have to rethink its position on sustainability, that is, producing less waste and creating more meaningful environmental awareness,” expressed Matthias Al-Amiry, managing director of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore and regional vice president, South-east Asia.

The Nest at One Farrer is ideal for corporate events with enforced safe distancing

Taking the high line
One Farrer Hotel sees safe distancing measures as an opportunity to boost its more exclusive offerings for bigger spenders.

To cater to a growing demand for private dining rooms, particularly by its “high net worth clientele”, the hotel launched The Nest at One Farrer on level 20, Adrian Quek, director of catering & events, One Farrer Hotel, shared with TTGmice.

The Nest comprises 13 safe dining environments, which may each accommodate between four and 12 diners. Since Singapore softened its quarantine restrictions earlier in the year, the facility has hosted several small-scale meetings and classes, serving as breakout rooms with in-room smart TVs enabling live streaming from the main event hall. After the conferences, keynote speakers and VIPs dined at The Nest with five diners per room.

Quek noted: “There is most certainly room for creativity. We aim to provide that ‘wow’ factor to participants with plated lunch and coffee break menus that are tailored to the needs and themes of our clients’ events. These little touches go a long way in providing value for our clients.”

Gangwon: South Korea’s winter wonderland

By TTGmice

December 1, 2020

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Brought to you by Gangwon Provincial Office

Remarkable encounters

1. Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival

Arriving at Korea’s top winter festival makes the commute from Seoul worth the journey, as the high altitude makes for a picturesque and refreshing winter setting.

Although the festival at Taebaeksan Provincial Park plays up on snow sculptures featuring works by home-grown and international artists; don’t miss the opportunity to hike along a snowy stream and and catch the sunrise over East Sea at one of South Korea’s highest peaks!

A variety of activities from traditional folk winter games to popular attractions such as snow rafting and sledding are available. For a truly uniquely alpine gourmet experience, head to the igloo café onsite for a cup of coffee, and treat yourselves to an array of local produce.

2. Inje Icefish Festival

An eye-opener for visitors from the sunny tropics – catch icefish (also known as smelt, or anchovy) on the frozen Soyangho Lake. As icefish are nocturnal, this activity is best recommended after dusk, and before the crack of dawn.

Enjoy your catch sashimi-style, by dipping it in red chilli-pepper paste (gojuchang) – in bringing out a unique cucumber scent and taste – or explore deep frying and stewing options.

The festival site also caters to morning larks; with a gourmet food street, ATV rides in the snow, and a winter wonderland packed with cultural events, ice sports and snow sculptures.

3. Wondaeri Birch Forest

Also in Inje, is Wondaeri Birch Forest, a nature sanctuary of over 700,000 birch trees renowned for its snow-covered landscape.

Although this ecological tourism site has been named top 100 must-go destinations by Korea Tourism Organization, it is still relatively untouched by commercialisation – crowning it a hidden treasure for those who make their pilgrimage here.

To create a swoon-worthy social media post, embark on one of its three trails ranging from 900m to 3.2km for a forest immersion, or learn more about this birch habitat at the observatory.

4. Hongcheonggang Ggong Ggong Festival

Unique festival moniker Ggong Ggong – which translates to firmly frozen in Korean – brings the exhilaration of trout fishing with bare hands on the frozen Hongcheon River.

If plunging your hands into icy waters is not your cup of tea, a varied number of programmes and attractions await; including Vivaldi Park snow world, charming recreations of traditional thatched-roof houses complete with outdoor food market, and Korean heritage showcases.

5. Hongcheon Alpaca World

Away from the hustle and bustle of town is Alpaca World – the largest forest experience farm in the country.

Throughout this expansive park set amidst a scenic mountain valley, visitors of all ages can interact with free-roaming South American alpacas; along with other intriguing animals including deers, mules, and a variety of birds. For a wholesome experience – and memorable photo opportunity – embark on the Healing Walk, a 15-min stroll with one of the alpacas one-on-one.

On-site glamping accommodation is available, and comes with 2 admission tickets to Alpaca World.

6. Strawberry picking (various locations)

Winter months from December to April bring about the harvesting season for strawberries – another popular export from South Korea – in cities such as Gangneung, Chuncheon and Sokcho.

Visitors can collect fresh strawberries in baskets at the farms to eat, or take away after the programme.

Stay

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Ski resorts in Gangwon offer foreigner-friendly ski lessons led by expert instructors, luxurious accommodation, a variety of entertainment and even wellness-themed attractions in the complex.

As hosts of the Winter Olympics, Yongpyong Resort boasts Korea’s first, and biggest ski resort, as well as breathtaking views on Korea’s highest skyway – Mt Balwangsan Skywalk. IHG chain Alpensia Resort commands fantastic views of Daegwallyeong, and features an all seasons complex to soak up the elegant atmosphere and pure nature.

Never a dull moment at High 1 Resort, the dynamic ski park features long runs and varying slope varieties, on top of entertainment options such at golf, firework shows and casino. Otherwise, the trekking trail at Untangodo – 1200m above sea level – makes for a refreshing forest-bathing experience overlooking the lush forest of Jeongseon.

With good accessibility from Seoul and a four-season leisure complex, SONO Belle Vivaldi Park proudly showcases Snowy Land, a 14-zone snow sled park that appeals to children, and the young at heart. The muslim-friendly resort comes with a halal restaurant and prayer room.

For more information on support and travel to Gangwon Province, email kim.nuri@ymail.com

Sticking it out

By Prudence Lui

November 30, 2020

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Hot idea
Create early engagement with your target audience by launching a dedicated platform

Lohas Expo and Vegetarian Food Asia 2020

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Brief
Like all events around the world, Covid-19 resulted in the postponement and cancellation of events due to travel restrictions and border closures.

Lohas Expo and Vegetarian Food Asia 2020 was one of those which postponed, but after two postponements, the tradeshow finally took off in October. It was also the first face-to-face tradeshow to happen in Hong Kong since the pandemic started.

First launched in 2012, the Lohas Expo is billed as the first tradeshow in Hong Kong dedicated to natural, organic, sustainability and green living. Later in 2015, event organisers launched the Vegetarian Food Asia in lieu of the growing vegetarian market, as part of the Lohas Expo.

This two-in-one show format adopted a mixed approach, and targeted both trade buyers and the public.

Event highlights
Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), part of the tradeshow was a forum that featured renowned speakers who spoke about industry trends and products throughout the three show days. Awards were also given out to recognise leaders in the industry.

On the B2B side, a business matching was developed to connect buyers and suppliers for the Lohas Expo 2020, while Vegetarian Food Asia conducted public workshops and sharing sessions from green living experts.

Event organisers also launched a “Taste of Veg” e-platform to create early engagement with their target audience online.

Thanks to government subsidies which including the free venue rental of HKCEC, event organisers were also able to reduce the participation fee for exhibitors.

All in all, the tradeshow ended on a high note with record-breaking physical attendance, and stringent hygiene measures in place. There were more than 32,000 visits over the three days, up eight per cent year-on-year.

Baobab Tree Event’s managing director Culsin Li, said the record-breaking visitor count came as a “surprise”, and was a very “encouraging” sign the industry will bounce back once the pandemic is over.

“We are optimistic about seeing more expos being held in Hong Kong. We also understand that physical shows cannot be replaced, because people enjoy interactions, and are eager to rebuild connections with each other,” she stated.

Challenges
The tradeshow had to be rescheduled twice, first in February and the second in July, which posed a huge logistics challenge.

Li shared that as the situation remained fluid, it constantly left them in limbo. Also, it remained a question whether visitors were willing to visit a large public expo physically with the pandemic still in play.

Once the green light was given, Baobab Tree Event communicated with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, HKCEC, sponsors, partners and exhibitors in a timely manner. This allowed them to organise the expo in two months.

In terms of safety and hygiene standards, organisers also had to work with various parties to ensure the highest hygiene standard to assure both exhibitors and visitors. This included venue disinfection, staff monitoring, and entrance requirements.

These hygiene and safety measures were then clearly communicated to potential visitors via their website and social media channels, to boost visitors’ confidence.

Event Lohas Expo and Vegetarian Food Asia 2020
Organisers Baobab Tree Event and Inspire Advertising & Marketing
Dates October 23-25, 2020
Attendance More than 32,000 visits throughout the three days, and more than 12,000 pre-registered online visitors

Auckland chalks up two conference wins

Three ways event managers can get the most out of online event platforms

Practicing sustainability during a pandemic

TTGmice goes on festive break

First DoubleTree by Hilton resort opens in Sri Lanka

A&K selects Martin Froggatt for group leadership position

A race for relevancy

Catering for creativity

Gangwon: South Korea’s winter wonderland

Remarkable encounters

Stay

Sticking it out

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