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.
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 heads to Perth next year
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, 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.
Ori Lahav
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 (SIA) will be making several senior management appointments, all effective April 1, 2020.
From left: Mak Swee Wah, Lee Lik Hsin
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.
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 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.”
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.
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
A train ride over the Nine Arches Bridge near Ella city is a trip highlight
The shadow that had been cast on Sri Lanka’s MICE sector due to last year’s Easter Sunday bombings is now a fading worry, as the country marches into 2020 with renewed confidence from event organisers.
Five months after the attacks, Colombo hosted mega congregation Ashara Mubaraka in September. The sermon received 21,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra community from 40 regions and countries including South-east Asia, Australia, Middle East, East Africa, Europe, the US and Canada.
A train ride over the Nine Arches Bridge near Ella city is a trip highlight
This year, Colombo is set to host a healthy line-up of international events, including the Global Academic Research Institute’s International Conference on Leisure and Tourism in March; the 6th World Conference on Women’s Studies in May; and the World HR Congress in July. This uptick is an optimistic turn compared to the aftermath of the April attacks, when some 90 per cent of business events bookings for May and June were postponed, cancelled or put on hold.
Now, armed with a change in leadership from the November re-elections, the tourism trade is rallying for quality growth in 2020. Already more than 160 million rupees (US$2.2 million) have been pumped into an aggressive promotional campaign at the World Travel Mart (WTM) London in November, and Sri Lanka is readying for visits from travel associations from Italy, Belgium and the UK in coming months.
Under newly-elected president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prasanna Ranatunga has been appointed as the new minister of tourism. Sri Lanka’s industry players are now urging the new administration to develop a blueprint for the industry that prioritises quality tourism over quantity.
“The private companies have been working together to promote tourism for Sri Lanka. Right now, what we need is more support from the government,” remarked Ruwan Fernando, manager – Asia, Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka.
Other industry leaders, such as Aitken Spence Travels’ managing director Nalin Jayasundera, have expressed the need for the new administration to kickstart the country’s long-belated global marketing campaign, which was originally slated to commence last November.
The campaign was aimed at promotions in India, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, Russia, Australia, Benelux, Poland and Ukraine. The authorities were also planning to appoint PR agencies in 13 markets to assist with market intelligence, market analysis and key stakeholder contacts.
Old Colombo charms
Holding strong as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo City has continued to draw high demand for meetings and conferences thanks to the lasting power of reputable hotels such as Hilton Colombo and The Kingsbury.
Christopher Zappia, cluster commercial director, Hilton Colombo & DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort, said: “In 1Q2019, Sri Lanka was doing very well, but after the attacks, business came to a screeching halt. Now, corporate business is slowly starting back up.”
Even Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, whose main restaurant was hit by the bombings, has since retained near-maximum occupancy, with the restaurant having been given an overhaul, said its assistant manager, sales – leisure (Sri Lanka), Yohan Liyanage.
He elaborated: “Even after the chaos, demand for our hotel is very strong. The majority of our guests – about 85 per cent – are corporate travellers.”
These hotel brands and properties are forging fearlessly ahead and will present shinier offerings this year.
Hilton Colombo has scheduled phases of refurbishment throughout 2020, while the chain has seven more properties planned for Sri Lanka in the next two to three years. Meanwhile, Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, welcomed an adjoining mall complex in October 2019 and will open two residential towers by mid-2020. Also, The Kingsbury recently completed reconstruction of its first floor, and now features a renovated lounge and a seafood restaurant.
As for Colombo, the city will welcome even more significant development in the following years.
The area surrounding Beira Lake and Galle Face will soon be populated by integrated developments featuring upscale and luxury hotels, such as the five-star local brand Cinnamon Life, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott by 2024; while the raved port city with convention halls and shopping malls is slated for completion by 2025.
Affordable coasts
Just 30 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo is often overlooked as a transit city en route to Colombo.
The sleepy seaside city in fact offers MICE groups an affordable getaway from the bustling hub, with hotels lining the shoreline of the Laccadive Sea.
Rooms and ballrooms here are lower in cost, with unique spaces and suites affording sweeping views of the coastline. For example, the 139-key Heritance Negombo – a local brand along main road Lewis Place and popular leisure spot Browns Beach – is a large and stylish property featuring a main banquet hall for up to 250 pax, and a smaller divisible hall for up to 130 pax. Groups seeking a venue to relax and enjoy a cold bottle against the sunset can book out the See Lounge on level two of the main hotel building.
Another local hotel chain Jetwing also operates a number of properties in Negombo, such as the neighbouring upscale resort Jetwing Beach and family-style Jetwing Blue. These properties are favourable for medium-sized groups, where upper management or top performers can be placed in the more premium suites of Jetwing Beach.
Further south along the west coast, the shores of Kalutara are dotted with numerous resorts that offer a more peaceful environment, compared to Colombo and Negombo. Groups searching for privacy and sprawling facilities can consider resorts such as The Blue Water Hotel, Turyaa Kalutara and the upscale Anantara Kalutara Resort.
However, planners should note that not all hotel ballrooms and venues are fitted with built-in audiovisual systems. While some hotels can provide basic mobile projectors, presentations that require greater audiovisual capabilities may necessitate an external supplier, which can be sourced for a fee.
Strong incentives push
Bespoke solutions and memorable experiences are a strong suit of Sri Lanka that industry players are marketing to incentive groups.
As expressway accessibility in the country is limited to the airport and the main cities, local operators and DMCs still play a pertinent role in providing seamless group tours, explained Rashonitha Lilendva, customer relations executive of MICE.lk.
These tours run the gamut of safaris to a 260-year-old unsolved murder mystery, and can include corporate fine touches like VIP welcome performances, teambuilding activities and other tailor-made requests. Possibly the most prolific experience is a cross-country ride in a 19th-century steam train, on which groups can enjoy dining in a luxury carriage with a view of Kandy’s rolling hills.
Even groups staying put in Colombo City can enjoy unique pre- and post-event tours. For example, Aitken Spence offers a “dodgy bar” guided tour of historical watering holes in the city.
that it is business as usual in the city; Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre pictured
The Hong Kong government has pledged a subsidy of over HK$1,020 million (US$130 million) to support exhibition and convention organisers and participants in the city that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
International events booked at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will receive government subsidies on venue rental this year
Event organisers with planned exhibitions and international conventions (with over 400 participants and at least 50 per cent from outside of Hong Kong) at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) will have their venue rental cost fully subsidised.
Implementation date of this scheme, with a coverage period of 12 months, will be announced soon.
Monica Lee-Müller, managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management), the company responsible for the daily operations of HKCEC, welcomes the move.
She said: “We appreciate the financial support from the (Hong Kong) government, which serves as a timely relief measure for the industry that has been greatly affected by the public activities in the second half of 2019 and the recent outbreak of Covid-19.
“It recognises the significant contribution of the exhibition and convention industry to the economy of Hong Kong, and sends a positive message to international event organisers that Hong Kong welcomes their return.
We are confident that the measures will encourage organisers with postponed events to confirm their new schedules, and new organisers to confirm their plans.”
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) shared that a few exhibitions and conferences originally scheduled at HKCEC between February and April 2020 have been postponed or cancelled, and the company has been working closely with event organisers to help with rescheduling plans.
It is hoped that this subsidy will ease the financial pressure on event organisers, many of which have spent extra money on marketing and logistics to retain exhibitors and ensure smooth operation of their events, expressed Lee-Müller in a press statement.
Furthermore, exhibitors and conference delegates participating in exhibitions and major conventions (with over 400 participants) organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council will have half of their participation fee (subject to a cap of HK$10,000) subsidised. Again, this scheme has a 12-month coverage.
A spokesperson of AWE told TTGmice that the government’s relief measures are appreciated, and the company is looking forward to the benefits these schemes can bring to the exhibition and event industry as well as other related sectors such as retail and tourism.
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