Macau plots recovery measures for Covid-19

March 3, 2020

The number of reported cases of Covid-19 in Macau has stabilised, following measures taken by the Macao SAR Government and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) in response to the outbreak, according to a statement released by IPIM.

On January 5, the Macao SAR Government established a cross-departmental team to tackle the expected emergence of the coronavirus in Macau. On January 21, the government set up a coordination centre to fight the epidemic, which remains active to this day.

Macau has announced measures to support businesses and residents to tide over coronavirus impact

A number of measures have been taken to halt the spread of the virus, including stepping up health checks and border controls to stem cross border traffic to and from mainland China, suspension of non-emergency public services, managing distribution of facial masks to ensure citizens have access at cost price, closing of casinos for a 15-day period, and cancellation of all annual Lunar New Year celebrations to limit human-to human transmission of the disease in crowded areas.

The IPIM has also set up a 24-hour hotline ((853) 6210 6655) to provide instant inquiry services and assistance to the convention and exhibition industry, event organisers and MICE visitors.

Meanwhile, the Health Bureau of the Government of Macao SAR provides latest updates through the dedicated website against epidemics on the number of cases, latest news, prevention guidelines and related links.

While there are indications that these measures have curbed the spread of the virus in Macau with no new reported cases since February 4, measures are being taken to assess the impact and speed up recovery efforts.

In the interim, the Macao SAR Government has announced measures to support businesses and residents.

The programme covers five main areas, including reduction of taxes and fees to reduce the burden on businesses and residents, promotion of assistance and interest subsidies for small- and medium-sized enterprises in order to support their survival, by strengthening measures to support vulnerable families, improving training to secure employment, and issuing electronic consumer coupons to encourage and accelerate the economy.

Coronavirus can jeopardise the global business travel industry: GBTA

By TTGmice

March 3, 2020

empty-airport — Business travel will inevitably take a tumble due to spread of coronavirus; empty airport pictured

According to a new lightning poll released today by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), coronavirus could potentially cost the industry US$46.6 billion per month. That translates into US$559.7 billion annually, or 37% of the industry’s total 2020 forecasted global spend.

To understand the coronavirus’s effects on this travel, GBTA conducted a poll of its worldwide membership on February 25, 2020. GBTA members routinely send their employees to meetings and events throughout the world, with primary destinations being North America, Europe, China, and Asia-Pacific.

Business travel will inevitably take a tumble due to spread of coronavirus; empty airport pictured

GBTA received responses from 401 companies, and among the poll’s key findings are:

The coronavirus is having a significant impact on business meetings and events. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of GBTA companies report they have cancelled at least a “few” meetings or events. Nearly one-fifth of respondents (18%) report cancelled “many” events, and one-fourth (25%) have cancelled “some” meetings/events.
Members are also postponing meetings and events due to the coronavirus. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents have postponed at least a few meetings or events, and nearly one-fifth (17%) report having postponed “many” events. A much smaller percentage of respondents report having moved their events to new locations due to the virus.
There is considerable uncertainty about the length of time these disruptions will last. Of those respondents whose companies have cancelled or suspended business travel due to the coronavirus, 54% are unsure when they expect travel to resume. About one-third (31%) expect travel to resume in the next three months, but 14% expect the delays to last up to six months.
These cancellations and postponements are negatively affecting GBTA member companies’ revenues. A majority of GBTA’s supplier companies report that the coronavirus has had a “significant” (24%) or “moderate” (31%) impact on their company’s revenues, with airlines and hospitality providers among the most affected. Only 14% of respondents report that the virus has had no impact on their revenues.
The virus has had a major impact on business travel to Asia. Of the respondents, 95% report that their companies have cancelled or suspended “most” or “all” business trips to China. A majority of respondents have taken similar steps for events in Hong Kong (73%) and Taiwan (54%), and a substantial number of companies (45%) have also cancelled or suspended travel to and meetings in other Asia-Pacific countries (e.g., Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia).
Almost one-fourth (23%) of respondents report their company has cancelled or suspended at least some trips to European countries (e.g., Italy, Germany, and France). Only 8% report having cancelled or suspended “most” or “all” of their European trips, however.
The coronavirus is causing many GBTA member companies to change their travel policies. Forty-three per cent of respondents report their company has instituted new trip approval procedures, and 51% say they have modified their travel safety and security features for their travellers.

According to Scott Solombrino, GBTA’s chief operating officer and executive director, these findings are cause for alarm.

“It is clear that the coronavirus is having a significant – and potentially very costly – effect on our members, their companies and on the overall business travel industry. It is fundamentally affecting the way many companies are now doing business. If this turns into a global pandemic, the industry may well lose billions of dollars – an impact that will have negative ramifications for the entire global economy.”

At the same time, Solombrino praised members for their responses. “Our industry’s first priority is the health and safety of the business traveller, and our members are being appropriately cautious and pro-active in their approach to the situation.”

The complete 2020 Coronavirus Poll can be found here.

KINTEX Convention Center to welcome new exhibition hall by 2024

By TTGmice

March 3, 2020

KINTEX Convention Center, already South Korea’s largest convention venue, will add a third exhibition hall by 2024, expanding its exhibition space by another 70,000m².

Known as KINTEX 3, construction works are slated to begin in September 2021 to erect two separate buildings as well as a 330-key business hotel.

KINTEX has outlined its plans for further expansion

KINTEX 3 is a joint investment between Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, Gyeonggi Province and Goyang City.

At a ceremony commemorating the passing of the preliminary feasibility study, Goyang mayor Lee Jae-Jun said: “In 2024, when KINTEX Exhibition Hall 3 opens, Goyang will be able to grow into a global MICE city and the largest self-sufficient city in northern Gyeonggi-do.”

Accessibility improvements are in the works as well, with the Great Train Express Line A opening in 2023 to connect KINTEX Convention Center with Gangnam in under 20 minutes.

Perth secures APAC’s largest agri-tech conference for 2021

By TTGmice

March 3, 2020

Business Events Perth has successfully wrestled evokeAG – Asia-Pacific’s largest agri-tech event – from the grasp of Melbourne for the 2021 edition.

The event will take place on February 16 and 17 next year, and is expected to attract around 1,500 delegates from around 20 countries including primary producers, small and medium businesses, start-ups, investors, researchers, innovators, universities and corporates to showcase their products and attract investors.

evokeAG was held for the past two years in Melbourne.

To secure this event, Business Events Perth partnered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

In a statement, Gareth Martin, Business Events Perth’s chief executive, said: “Business conferences and events are a crucial part of Western Australia’s tourism industry and supports the State Government’s Diversify WA strategy to create jobs by growing and diversifying the local economy.

“Primary industries and tourism are part of the six priority economic sectors identified for growth by Diversify WA and Business Events Perth is focused on securing more conference events in these sectors as a key catalyst to promote a thriving economy in Western Australia.”

In 2018-19, Business Events Perth generated around A$153 million (US$101 million) for the state’s economy in business visitor spend.

Ori Lahav named IAPCO president

By TTGmice

March 3, 2020

Ori Lahav, vice president, clients and operations, Kenes Group has been elected president of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) during the organisation’s Annual General Assembly (AGM) in Vancouver.

He takes over from outgoing president Mathias Posch for a two-year term.

Lahav will focus on launching a new online learning platform and widen the association’s reach in Latin America and Asia-Pacific during his tenure.

Elections held during the AGM also saw the appointment of Alejandro Tabche, CEO of Business Travel Consulting as a new member to the council.

Re-elected members include Barbara Calderwood, director institutional, MCI UK; Monica Freire, head of congress department, AIM Group International; Keith Burton, managing director, African Agenda, and Sarah Markey-Hamm, CEO, ICMS.

Singapore Airlines unveils senior management changes

By TTGmice

March 2, 2020

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be making several senior management appointments, all effective April 1, 2020.

Executive vice president (EVP) commercial Mak Swee Wah will assume the post of EVP operations, where he will be responsible for SIA’s cabin crew, customer services and operations, engineering, and flight operations divisions.

Lee Lik Hsin, CEO of LCC Scoot, will return to SIA and be promoted to EVP commercial. In his new role, he will be responsible for the cargo, customer experience, marketing planning, and sales and marketing divisions, as well as the sales regions.

From left: Tan Kai Ping, Campbell Wilson

Meanwhile, Tan Kai Ping, senior vice president marketing planning, will be promoted to EVP finance and strategy, where he will oversee the corporate planning and finance divisions.

Mak, Lee and Tan will all report directly to SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Campbell Wilson, senior vice president sales and marketing, will be appointed CEO of SIA’s fully-owned subsidiary Scoot.

Karen Bolinger wears a new hat at PCMA

By TTGmice

March 1, 2020

PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat has revealed that Karen Bolinger has taken on a new role in the PCMA APAC Advisory Board as managing director, Asia Pacific.

Bolinger will be based in Melbourne, and will lead PCMA’s Asia Pacific operations team through its office in Singapore.

Her focus will be on new initiatives to extend and strengthen PCMA’s presence in the region. This includes region-specific events, thought leadership, curated content and education, as well as enhanced stakeholder engagement and identifying new business partners.

As a former CEO of the Melbourne Convention Bureau and Chair of the BestCities Global Alliance, Bolinger has made significant business event contributions to the visitor economies of Australia and other leading international destinations. This includes the ability to successfully bring industry, government policymakers, business partners and service organisations together to focus on new opportunities.

“As stakeholders in the global business events industry look towards a post-COVID-19 recovery, we believe that the Asia Pacific region will recover first and that the industry will be substantially changed,” said Karamat.

ITB Berlin 2020 cancelled over Covid-19 fears

By TTGmice

February 29, 2020

ITB Berlin 2020 has been cancelled due to the rapid spread of the Covid-19, said Messe Berlin in a press statement late Friday evening.

This is the first time in the show’s 54-year history that it has been cancelled – a move made by the organisers following recommendations by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics.

Messe Berlin said in a statement that yesterday evening at 18.27 (local time), the health authority of the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin imposed significantly tighter restrictions on holding the event, which was supposed to take place from March 4 to 8, that led to the show’s cancellation.

Among its requirements, the authority stipulated that each participant would need to prove to Messe Berlin that they were not from a designated risk area or had not been in contact with a person or persons from a risk area. It is “not possible” to fulfil those requirements, said the organisers.

Messe Berlin had for weeks made it known that a decision on holding or cancelling large-scale events would only be taken based on the recommendations or instructions of the relevant specialist authorities, as only they possess the necessary information and specialist knowledge required to draw the right conclusions.

Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH, said: ”With more than 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries, ITB Berlin is extremely important for the world’s tourism industry. We take our responsibility for the health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and employees very seriously. It is with a heavy heart that we must now come to terms with the cancellation of ITB Berlin 2020.”

Hilton Tokyo names new GM

By TTGmice

February 28, 2020

Roger Brantsma is now the general manger of Hilton Tokyo, the brand’s flagship hotel in Japan.

He was most recently the general manager of Hilton Tokyo Bay, a post he has held since January 2017.

Brantsma brings to the role a wealth of experience, having spent over 20 years with Hilton Hotels and Resorts. He began his career in the F&B department in Hilton Amsterdam, before moving into roles like director of operations in Hilton Sharks Bay Resort, Hilton Phuket Resort & Spa, and Hilton Sydney.

His first general manager appointment was at Hilton Chennai in 2011, before he moved to New Zealand to the post of cluster general manager for Hilton Auckland and Hilton Lake Taupo.

China reaches out

By Caroline Boey

February 28, 2020

Just as China’s open Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has spurred Chinese cities to aggressively court international association meetings, the Middle Kingdom’s own industry associations are making firm moves to build business exchange and knowledge-sharing platforms with their country partners and international peers.

To prepare Chinese associations going international, the China Association For NGO Cooperation (CANGO) – under the Ministry of Civil Affairs – and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Commercial Sub-council launched the China Congress of Associations and Chambers of Commerce in 2018.

Held on October 17 to 18, 2019, the congress welcomed associations, investment promotion and commercial bureaus and meetings management suppliers from China and beyond, national and city-level convention and exhibition bureaus, as well as CCPIT chapters.

Alicia Yao, the event’s organising committee chairman, said the event aimed to “guide associations’ management of research institutions, conference development and investment promotion, help trade associations to carry out brand building, establish a cooperation mechanism between the Belt and Road trade associations, and provide a platform for international and domestic cross-border exchanges”.

Emphasising the Chinese government’s full support of the local associations’ move to go beyond their borders, Yao pointed to the issuance of the Notice on Fully Hearing the Opinions of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations in the Process of Formulating Administrative Regulations and Regulations Administrative Standardization Documents by The General Office of the State Council in March 2019.

Vivian Zhang, director of event specialist MCI China, observed many Chinese domestic associations had begun to market themselves as international entities that were committed to being academically authoritative, raising the influence of the industry and having a strong voice.

Zhang said: “Chinese industry associations have resources and academic status. The challenge is how to make use of these resources to develop healthily.”
She observed that Chinese association heads were now younger and more exposed internationally, adding that association communication had also changed from one-way – external to internal – to two-way.

Citing an example, she said the China Infection Control Annual Conference of the China Association for Infectious and Preventive Medicine had Chinese experts and scholars deeply involved in the planning stage of the International Academic Annual Conference.
For long-established associations to grow, Zhang said new strategies and professional support were needed.

Faced with limited staff headcount, Chinese associations must re-examine their core focus, advised Zhang. Her suggestion is to outsource operations to a professional management team and for the association to concentrate on building its core content.

Mike Williams, senior partner and consultant at GainingEdge, an agency that advises the convention and meetings industry, also suggested that Chinese association executives attend training by Union of International Associations (UIA) and International Convention and Convention Association (ICCA) held in China on governance, financial management, membership growth, and case studies of association best practices.

While Chinese associations are eager to do more, the ongoing US-China trade war could impact their efforts, opined Kitty Wong, president, K&A International and past-president, World DMC Alliance.

She explained that associations needed “approval” from the central government to organise any event. With China tightening up surveillance, Wong opined the national associations cannot do much without approval and may not even consider bidding for international conferences to be held in China.

She added: “Without a local organising committee to back them up to obtain approval and/or sponsorship, there is no reason for international NGOs to bring a conference to China.”

Still, she encourages Chinese associations leaders to attend international congresses, conventions and seminars outside China “to make friends and exchange ideas with colleagues in their own fields globally”.

“Don’t be shy in connecting with the world,” she advised.

This article was first published in TTGassociations January 2020, a sister publication of TTGmice