Claire Chong has joined events agency Uniplan as managing director, Shanghai.
She will report directly to CEO, Greater China, Geraldine Chew, and work closely with COO, China, Tracy Zhou and office heads across the region to serve current clients and strengthen the agency’s presence in Greater China.
The marketing professional has worked across a range of platforms, as well as managed partnerships with key players in the automotive, tech and consumer goods sectors.
The Covid-19 pandemic has fast-tracked border control evolution, moving the world closer to a safe and contactless security and health clearance.
In this new episode of TTG Conversations: Five questions video series, Springall explains how a safe, controlled and practical border control looks and why it takes time for airports of the world to deploy biometric technology. He also talks about Beijing Capital International Airport’s recent biometric deployment, and why it matters to our current fight against Covid-19.
Francis Teo, head of Setia City Convention Centre, was elected as president of the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), for the 2020-2022 term at the association’s 30th Annual General Meeting.
Teo takes over the reins from Vincent Lim, who has served the association as president for the past three consecutive terms.
During his acceptance speech, Teo voiced his hopes that the new committee members would lead MACEOS with dedication, commitment, and passion in facing the challenge that is impacting the business events industry.
He elaborated: “We have to learn to change the way we operate in this industry. We have to learn to pivot and also embrace event digitalisation. We believe that event digitalisation will complement our industry but would never replace it.
“We also need to be less dependent on international markets. Instead, we must learn to create opportunities for ourselves. We need to network more, connect, and collaborate with each other so that we can survive this period together.”
Lim said in his outgoing speech: “The early days of the pandemic was a very intense period. However, that didn’t stop us from playing our role as industry advocates through Zoom meetings, webinar programmes, members’ survey, information updates, governmental meetings, media interviews by local news/international news agencies, and press releases.
“We also worked closely with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM), and various government ministries to formulate the Business Events Standard Operating Procedures. This was eventually submitted, approved, and accepted by the Malaysian National Security Council,” he added.
Lim added that MACEOS would also be able to attract new and younger members to take on an active role in the association.
During his tenure as president, Lim was instrumental in the formation of BECM, which was an initiative of MyCEB.
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has released more details for its inaugural Convening Asia Pacific: The Global Recovery Forum, which will be held in a hybrid format on November 10, from 12.00 to 16.00.
Held at ICC Sydney, the programme will be a mix of panels, seminars and workshops, will feature renowned event professionals, including:
Kenyon, who will moderate a panel session at Convening Asia Pacific with other CMOs, said the marketer’s role in driving growth and engagement for a company or event is more important now than ever.
“Building successful marketing campaigns is reliant on clear business goals, a detailed, well thought out strategy and a customer-centric approach. Events are built on a foundation of entertainment, and even though not many events are running face-to-face at the moment, we need to remember what the essence of events are – engaging with our audiences.
“Covid-19 may have changed the events industry and how we appeal to audiences, attract sponsors and sell tickets, but with it there has also been opportunities to adapt, test new channels to use and consider new ways to engage with audiences outside of our regions,” she said.
Kenyon revealed that the panel will share their experiences in building successful marketing strategies, adapting tactics in a data and technology-enabled world, and discuss how to appeal to a B2B landscape virtually.
Karen Bolinger, PCMA’s managing director of APAC, added: “Some key sessions will provide valuable insights into digital marketing from the technical, creative, data insights and distribution channel perspectives.
“This will appeal to audiences who want to boost attendance and engagement, setting the event up for success and answering the ‘how’ of events today.”
Singapore-based creative content development agency in events and media production, Aux Media Group, has unveiled its newest facility – Aux Immersive Studio.
The studio has been billed as an environment that merges physical and virtual events, through Extended Reality (XR) technology and game engine systems.
Aux Immersive Studio is a 4000 square-foot space, equipped with state-of-the-art XR equipment, motion trackers, multi-cameras, as well as modern live-streaming capabilities. This set-up allows environments and graphics (for example lifelike animations or data overlays) to be rendered in real-time around the presenter.
Unlike traditional formats of presentation where the presenter needs to memorise tracking patterns, XR creates graphics that are also visible and interactable on the live-set by the presenter, allowing for more engaging visual content and more dynamic storytelling.
Viewers watching behind their screen will be able to see CGI animations and lifelike set side-by-side with the actor or presenter, delivering a seamless 360-degree visual experience that is three-dimensional.
“Traditional digital experiences don’t cut it anymore. To allow brands to engage better and share their messages, we need to push the boundaries of storytelling in the digital realm. With Aux Immersive Studio, we are bringing XR technology to Singapore and integrating it with our capabilities in existing technologies, to widen the scope of what is creatively possible. This will allow for new opportunities and tailored solutions to bridge brands and organisations with their communities,” said Choong Chyi Kei, chief executive of Aux Media Group.
Aux Immersive Studio is powered by Aux Media Group’s partnership with UK-based creative technology company Disguise, and Japanese audio-visual leaders Yamaha and Panasonic.
Wharf Hotels welcomes Joanna Liang back, as she takes up the post of general manager of Marco Polo Changzhou in southern Jiangsu province.
Prior to her return, she held the position of general manager at Artisse Place Shenzhen Hotel Residence, where she led the hotel’s pre-opening team into its launch.
Liang’s 24-year track record began in hotel operations, with a focus on rooms. During her previous stint with Wharf Hotels, her roles included executive assistant manager of rooms at Niccolo Changsha, and director of rooms at Niccolo Chengdu.
The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) is kicking off an educational webinar series for event planners from October 14, as the city readies for business events once again.
The new webinar series on Zoom aims to keep planners up to date on venue safe protocols, business event venues and experiences available in Melbourne including hybrid event solutions, provide event planners with support, and provide a communications platform connecting the CVB and partners.
Topics lined up include venues with a difference, teambuilding ideas, new venues, accommodation, and experiences, and MCB support services.
Every episode is 30 minutes long, from 11.00 to 11.30 AEST.
Registration is required.
As Singapore allows for the gradual resumption of small-scale physical events, the MICE industry has received an Event Industry Resilience Roadmap (IRR) that will pave the way for Covid-safe and cost-effective hybrid events.
Launched by the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the IRR will provide advice to organisers, venues and suppliers on implementing best practices and safe-management measures under STB’s Safe Business Events Framework, create agile business models with a focus on hybridisation, and chart long-term plans to develop the MICE workforce.
Hybrid and physical events will be accredited by an industry-led national programme, SG SafeEvent Standard, which will be launched later this year. It will serve as a mark of assurance for participants of safe, trusted and innovative business events.
The IRR document will be continuously updated according to the evolving situation and prevailing health standards.
The first release – IRR 1.0 – will focus on the implementation of SG SafeEvent Standard and hybridisation, and is being adopted in Singapore’s pilot events.
IRR 2.0, which is currently in development, will expand on the innovation of business models and core capabilities necessary for companies and professionals to successfully pivot.
“As the Covid-19 situation evolves, the resumption of business events and, later live events, in Singapore is dependent on the industry’s ability and readiness to implement newly mandated safe management measures and new competencies for our workers and enterprises to be hybrid-ready. The Event Industry Resilience Roadmap serves as a valuable ‘operational guide’ to strengthen our industry, enhance the skillsets of our workers and curate impactful hybrid events,” said Aloysius Arlando, president, SACEOS.
To further support the ailing MICE industry, SACEOS has signed an MOU with the National Trades Union Congress, STB, Enterprise Singapore, Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore to establish the MICE & Events Capability Building Network.
Under this network, public and private sector organisations will facilitate the training and development of event industry professionals, including freelancers and self-employed individuals. It will also bring local educational institutions on board to create blueprints of new career paths and to curate training programmes.
As activity picks up, businesses should be prepared for higher cost at the outset, before things move into full swing.
Veemal Gungadin, vice president, digital & innovation, SACEOS, explained: “The cost will probably vary over time. Right now, there’s probably more investment needed on the physical side of things – to have full studios, new equipment, new infrastructures (that support) safe management measures during the event – so probably at the beginning, it will cost more.
“But what’s happening is, within the industry, there are initiatives ongoing to have more centralised systems that can be leveraged on for economies of scale, so the cost for adoption per event goes down.”
In 2019, Taiwan was coming into its own as a choice Asian MICE destination. Its capital Taipei established a dedicated MICE office in March, around the same time Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2 (TaiNEX 2) started operations.
Due to Covid-19, MEET TAIWAN admitted that Taiwan’s MICE industry has been severely impacted, with numerous international exhibitions, corporate meetings, and incentive tours cancelled. To help Taiwanese event companies cope with the crisis, the agency has been providing financial relief.
Turning its attention inwards
Although the global pandemic has put a damper on international arrivals, Taiwan’s domestic meetings industry has seen some green shoots.
A number of events had taken place after restrictions on domestic meetings were lifted on June 11. All events must abide by strict guidelines set by the authorities to ensure the health and safety of delegates.
The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) – Taiwan’s main PEO and official trade promotion agency – has also been consistent in its messaging, informing the larger MICE community that Covid-19 is well under control in the destination. The government agency has been updating the safety levels of its MICE environment and travel policies, and is actively sharing its experience in working to overcome the pandemic.
During a webinar organised by the Asian Federation of Exhibition & Convention Associations in July, TAITRA addressed the growing trends in Taiwan’s MICE industry, such as the rising popularity of virtual reality (VR) exhibitions.
Online business matching are also proving to be more crucial than ever for trade personnel, particularly in the absence of face-to-face meetings. Industry players have recognised that organising virtual events will not be supplementary, but a necessity in the post-pandemic era, leading to the rise in hybrid events with both physical and online components.
Adapting quickly to change
Reflecting Taiwan’s adaptability and responsiveness to industry trends, her MICE stakeholders have made a quick pivot to meet the new online demand.
In late September, some 20 international exhibitions are scheduled to take place, such as the Taipei Intelligent Machinery & Manufacturing Technology Show (iMTduo) and SEMICON TAIWAN 2020, all of which are hybrid events. These shows will benefit more than 3,500 manufacturers across a range of industries.
One of Taiwan’s largest international exhibitions, COMPUTEX 2020, is among the first to transition from physical state to online.
Its 2019 edition hosted 1,685 exhibitors from 30 countries and attracted 42,495 visitors from 171 countries, and 2020 was set to welcome even more delegates. With international travel severely curtailed, COMPUTEX was at risk of losing that momentum.
Hence, Taiwan moved quickly to launch a series of online events to keep the global technology community connected with COMPUTEX. The first-ever COMPUTEX virtual event debuted on June 2, where its live-stream was watched by over 400,000 viewers.
During the event, key executives from tech companies such as Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm addressed the latest trends on artificial intelligence and 5G. In addition, the event also saw 30 VIP buyers from 14 countries meet with Taiwanese suppliers, while startups had a chance to showcase their new products via Taiwan Trade Show’s YouTube channel.
Soon to come on September 28 is a platform that will display and promote exhibitors’ products and services.
Organisers hope that the physical show will return next year, with dates currently scheduled for June 1–5, 2021.
Looking to the future
As Taiwan’s MICE industry rebuilds itself, infrastructure developments have continued in earnest, with several new event venues on schedule to open this year and into 2022.
They include the Taipei Music Center (September 2020), Kaohsiung Music Center (end-2020), and two convention centres located outside of capital city Taipei – the Tainan Convention & Exhibition Center (2021) and Taichung Shuinan International Convention Exhibition Center (2022).
Despite the bleak situation, MEET TAIWAN told TTGmice that the destination has not lost sight of its global market, and the appetite to attract international business events has certainly not been diminished.
“With the partial reopening of domestic MICE, a full reopening is soon to follow. We warmly welcome event planners from all over the globe to Taiwan, and will wholeheartedly support them before and after the borders reopen,” MEET TAIWAN stated.
Alexandre Frenkel has joined Santiburi Koh Samui in the capacity of general manager.
The Swiss hotelier possesses almost three decades of experience, having worked with leading hotels and resorts across five countries. He also has a deep knowledge of Thailand’s hotel industry, having spent the last 16 years living and working in the Kingdom.
Frenkel started out his professional career at Hilton, where he rose through the ranks to become director of operations and director of business development at Hilton Beijing.
He then moved back to Thailand with Amari/Onyx Hospitality Group, achieving his first general manager role in 2006. He has since managed some of Bangkok’s leading properties, including Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel.