To further grow Malaysia’s business events sector, there must be greater engagement and communication with the Malaysian government, where the real and extended value of business events in the country can be highlighted and demonstrated.
This was the message conveyed through a panel discussion by the private sector at the recent Business Events forum organised by The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) in Kuala Lumpur.
Working together is paramount in order to ensure Malaysia’s business sector continues to thrive
Alan Pryor, general manager of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, as well as protem committee of Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM), said the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) was very successful in winning international events to Malaysia when it was first launched in 2010, up until about 2012.
But MyCEB then lost a bit of engagement and monetary support from the government, which resulted in Malaysia losing out to regional competitors as well as countries like South Korea and Australia.
Thus, Pryor believes strongly in BECM’s primary role, which is to act as a single voice for the business events industry to communicate and liaise with the government. He also called for stakeholders to join forces with BECM to devise a national strategy to “grow the pie”, as well as keep the government updated on what the private sector is doing.
He emphasised that no one party can work in silo, and instead, the industry must work together and communicate with each other.
“We need to educate people on what we do and why it is important,” Pryor added.
Marcus Osborne, CEO of Fusion Brand, cautioned that the national strategy should be based on research and sharing of data, and one that must be dynamic, fluid and have buy-in from everyone.
Meanwhile, Vincent Lim, MACEOS’ president, added: “Venue is king. Since the opening of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), the government has no plans for the further development of large venues in Malaysia for exhibitions. We must engage the government now. To stay competitive, we need venues that are 100,000m2 so that large exhibitions have space to grow.”
Lim opined that the exhibitions sector should not come under MyCEB but should be under Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation or Ministry of International Trade and Industry instead, because the key performance index is not driven by foreign visitor arrivals but rather, its contribution to the economy.
“There is nothing wrong with MyCEB. It is just which ministry can drive the exhibitions sector forward,” stressed Lim.
Conference attendee Gracie V Geikie, director/principal consultant, Place Borneo Group, also opined that MyCEB should not be placed under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia because the business events industry is very different from leisure tourism. Instead, she proposes that MyCEB should be seen as a business unit with multiplier effects on the economy, and should be placed under the Economic Affairs Ministry.
“Meetings, conventions and congresses bring knowledge to the country and the government must understand how it benefits the destination and its multiplier effect on the economy,” she explained at the forum.
MITEC pushes the green envelope; aims to reduce its environmental impact and drive sustainability
Eight independent shows organised by UBM Malaysia will be co-located under a single show known as ASEAN Super 8.
ASEAN Super 8 will be held at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) over three days from March 19-21, 2019, in conjunction with International Construction Week 2019.
MITEC (pictured) will host ASEAN Super 8 next year
The eight shows are all related to the built environment and it will be the largest event of its kind for the built environment in South-east Asia.
The shows are Tenaga Expo and Forum; Green Energy Expo and Forum; ASEAN Solar & Eco light; ASEAN LIFT Expo & Forum (Southeast Asia Premier Lift & Escalators Technology Expo & Forum); IFSEC Southeast Asia Kuala Lumpur Edition (Commercial Security, Fire and Safety Exhibition; Ecobuild Southeast Asia; REVAC Expo & Forum (Southeast Asia’s Premier Refrigeration, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Expo & Forum); and Heavy Mach.
All shows, with the exception of Heavy Mach, were previously held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Heavy Mach was held at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
M Gandhi, UBM Asia’s group managing director (ASEAN business) and senior vice president, explained that moving all these events to MITEC will give them the physical space required for future expansion.
The inaugural issue of ASEAN Super 8 will utilise around 8,000m2 of floor space, and attract approximately 1,000 exhibitors from all over the world from the construction, energy and building sectors.
Gandhi shared that ASEAN Super 8 received support from the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia, which in turn encouraged the industry to support the show.
He added that Malaysia has a vibrant construction and building industry, and with the help of MITEC’s 45,000m2 of exhibition space, there will be room for growth of ASEAN Super 8 in the coming years.
Earlier, UBM Asia had signed a five-year agreement with Prisma Galeri, which is the management company of MITEC, to hold these events from 2019 to 2023.
Global hotel solutions provider HRS has been selected by Airbus to oversee the digital transformation of its hotel programme.
HRS was chosen by Airbus to manage its global hotel negotiations and ensure the right content flows seamlessly into existing booking tools and new mobile applications. Beyond sourcing and booking, HRS and Airbus are working together to implement virtual payment for travellers for the totality of its preferred hotel properties.
Raggge: HRS shares the goal of increasing use of digital solutions for all traveller functions
With HRS virtual payment, travellers no longer need to use personal or corporate cards at the hotel as expense reports for lodging are done automatically.
“The trend is clearly leading in the direction of digital solutions. Data transparency, cost efficiency and traveller satisfaction are today’s challenges that we solve with our solutions,” said HRS’ CEO Tobias Ragge.
“Corporations are taking a closer look at the value of outsourcing versus traditional hotel programme management. Given today’s corporate hospitality arena – with digitisation, fragmentation and globalisation driving increased complexity – companies need a truly customisable model, and we are taking the lead.”
HRS is already engaging with global hotel chains, smaller groups and independent hotels on Airbus’ behalf for 2019 rate negotiations, with preferred hotel suppliers required to accommodate Airbus’ virtual payment initiative.
The International Federation of Societies for Microscopy (IFSM) has picked Busan, South Korea as the host city for its 20th World Microscopy Conference (IMC20) in 2022.
Busan beat other destinations like South Africa (Cape Town), Netherlands (Maastricht), US (Portland), and Spain (Madrid) in the race.
The successful bidding team from South Korea
Taking place from September 25 to 30, the event is expected to be attended by approximately 3,000 delegates from 37 countries. Scientists in the microscopy sector will discuss trending issues and network with other people in the industry. The event will include a simultaneous exhibition of global microscope manufacturing companies.
Held every four years, South Korea will be the second Asian country, after Japan, to host the conference.
“This success is a fruitful result of our strong collaboration with the local community, academe, and the private sector,” said In Sook Lee, director at the Korea Tourism Organization – Convention Team in a press statement.
“Last year, Korea was the top meeting destination according to the Union of International Associations, and we are determined to promote Korea’s knowledge, expertise, and capability to attract more international conferences,” she added.
What’s the backstory?
AIQ was started back in mid-2014 in Singapore with the goal of using computer vision technology to simplify direct interactions between images and videos. This seamlessly connects physical contents and assets to the digital online world beyond QR codes or barcodes.
Our patented Video and Image Recognition Technology (VIRT) can do two things. One, it lets users take a photo of a still image and interact with it.
For example, I can take a photo of what you are wearing now and find 10 similar versions of your outfit that is available for sale online. The technology can recognise that your outfit is a short dress, it is collarless, and of a certain cut. However, back then in 2015, e-commerce was just taking off and many consumers were skeptical about purchasing clothes online. Consumers back then wanted to be able to touch and feel the fabric, and be sure they like the material.
The second part of VIRT is that it recognises videos, be it live or recorded. If it is a recorded video, the client using VIRT can decide which parts of the video will offer a certain interaction with the user.
VIRT did not resonate well with users at the beginning (who did not trust it or could not imagine how it would work). So, we moved to build many proofs of concept with notable partners such as America’s Got Talent, where TV viewers in South-east Asia could use the technology, point at the contestant who was singing at that time and receive information such as the contestant’s name and song title, or even vote for the contestant.
I understand the retail support possibilities of VIRT. But how was it useful for RetailEX ASEAN, which was the first large-scale exhibition and conference in Asia to implement it?
One of the key challenges in business events – as observed in my capacity as exhibitor, attendee and speaker at tradeshows and conferences over at least nine years – is the huge amount of paper waste on the last day of shows. Not just paper waste from brochures and posters that cannot be reused once the event is over, but also product samples that exhibitors don’t want to ship back and incur costs. Plus, these things cost money to produce.
To deal with that problem, some exhibitors turned to QR codes that allow their customers to scan and get information. But QR codes are fixed and cannot be modified should you wish to use a different link at the next show.
There are other limitations with QR codes. The code is built for the machine, not for the human eye. You need to scan it to make sense of it. As well, QR codes aren’t widely adopted in the Western markets; it is more used in China and Asia.
VIRT goes beyond QR codes. It allows customers to interact with a poster or a 30-second commercial that is running at the booth. It offers green benefits, as it cuts down on the need for printed brochures. Exhibitors can produce smaller quantities of generic brochures that can be reused at multiple shows, but rely on the technology to drive customers to relevant and updated information online. The other benefit is, VIRT turns the entire booth into an interactive space (so that) posters and videos on display do more than just show a pretty visual.
Another pain point at events is the access to presentation slides.
There are many conference sessions at an event. Attendees may want to download slides of a session they are keen on. Often, the links are consolidated and sent to attendees after the event. It is tedious for attendees to scroll through to identify the slides they wanted.
At RetailEX ASEAN, during my presentation for example, members of the audience were able to use the RetailEX app we created, point their smartphone camera at my slides, and instantly get my presentation file in the app which they can download later and share with their peers.
As well, in Asia where people are generally too polite to ask questions, the technology can be used to improve interaction during a panel discussion. For example, one could point the VIRT-powered app at the session backdrop, and be directed to a page where they could text their question or opinion to the moderator.
These three features – interactive content at exhibitor booths, access to conference materials simply by scanning slides, and Q&A interaction – were VIRT-powered features that were built into the RetailEX ASEAN app.
How else can VIRT be used by event organisers and owners?
VIRT can be used to provide greater value to event sponsors by allowing sponsor logos, posters, videos on display at the event to be interactive. Sponsors can tailor the message they want to convey when their materials are scanned by the event app.
I’ve attended business events where exhibitors use near-field communication (NFC) to allow attendees to choose the information they want to receive, and then tap their badge or phone to a device to complete the process. How’s that different from VIRT?
Well, one has to be near to that device in order to use NFC. With VIRT, the user needs to capture just 30 per cent of the image or video. Imagine being in a rush and trying to get information from a popular booth but not being able to get close enough to the device to tap your badge or phone.
As well, the user needs to have an NFC-ready smartphone to use NFC. Not everyone has such a feature in their phone. Furthermore, NFC features drain phone batteries.
VIRT needs the user to only activate their smartphone camera, which is a feature that many are familiar with and have on their device.
What is the cost of utilising VIRT?
There is a basic setup, and costs will depend on how complicated the setup is. If the client needs only still images or a few videos to be interactive, it could cost them as low as a few hundred dollars.
We also offer a monthly subscription based on a CPM/CPI model. For a few hundred dollars a month, the client could get up to 10,000 interactions. One scan, one interaction. The subscription fee goes up with increased interactions.
This model works for retail since there would be frequent usage. But how about tradeshows, which could be held just once a year?
If the event is organised by a company that also runs many other events, the solution can be used multiple times with just one basic set-up.
That said, we can support one-off trade events which will still benefit from extended usage. Interactions will not take place only during the show. Buyers will still want interaction with sellers they are interested in after the show, and we can help to facilitate that. We do that by not only offering our technology to the event organiser, but also to the exhibitors.
Did you offer VIRT to exhibitors at RetailEX ASEAN?
Yes, but there were no takers. They were apprehensive because they were not entirely sure what VIRT was. Many thought that VIRT meant augmented reality, which is pricey to produce and sucks up a lot of bandwidth. You have to understand that VIRT is still very new.
But RetailEX ASEAN was a good showcase for the technology. We had many event organisers present at the show who came up to tell us how interested they were in our technology and wanted to use it at their upcoming events. That’s a great start.
In your opinion, what’s the future of interactive technology and its implication for events?
I see the world of Harry Potter, where the Fat Lady in the portrait sings and talks to the students.
QR codes took 15 years to be adopted by consumers. But images can be recognised for their interactive possibilities in a shorter period of time because that capability can be seen and understood. Interactive images and videos will push QR codes into the sunset.
The future we see is one where all surfaces – walls of event venues and public spaces – can host interactive materials. We might even have intelligent interaction, where the technology can scan a viewer who stands close and build a profile of him or her, and then recommend a suitable product.
The way a smartphone is used will also change. The camera and voice recognition/command features will become most critical, while other features might change or be phased out. Keyboard usage will lose its relevance as more smartphone users use voice command to order action or conduct online search. The smartphone camera will become the eyes for everything.
On that same note, imagine the day the smartphone camera can face a marketing poster and right away offer the user the same content in 25 different languages. It is a great solution for exhibitors looking to interact with a global audience.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced its commitment to bringing more quality buyers from across globe, with 60 per cent of buyers originating outside of Australia.
In a first, all expressions of interest will initially undergo a rigorous and thorough vetting process from the AIME Hosted Buyer Manager to check preliminary suitability.
One of the exhibition days at AIME 2018. Photo credit: Facebook @AIMEMelbourne
To qualify, buyers must provide examples of budgets they manage, past events they have organised and details of scheduled events that will take place in the next five years. Additionally, they must pass up to four compulsory industry reference checks.
The new vetting process also has added flexibility, allowing buyers to attend AIME 2019 in two ways; as either a Hosted Buyer or as a Pre-Registered Trade Buyer.
The Hosted Buyer Program includes a fully curated experience, return flights and four- or five-star accommodation, located close to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hosted attendees will be required to commit to 32 pre-scheduled appointments (PSAs) and attend all formal networking events, as well as Melbourne Convention Bureaus’ Uncover Melbourne Program.
Whereas for a moderate fee, Pre-Registered Trade Buyers have the option to select the number of PSAs they wish to make, attend all the networking events, and have the flexibility to attend one, two or three days at AIME 2019.
Four months before the industry event commences (February 18-20, 2019), AIME 2019 has already confirmed over 200 buyers from 32 different countries, with 42 per cent having never attended AIME before.
Hilton hotels throughout Malaysia have launched its newest meetings package entitled Work Hard, Play Hard.
Under Work Hard, by booking any participating Hilton will ensure event planners receive discounts on the master bill through the Hilton Honors meeting planner programme.
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Hilton Kuala Lumpur's Sentral Ballroom
DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru's Grand Ballroom
Alongside event discounts, event planners can Play Hard and receive additional discounts and benefits at any of the restaurants or outlets, complimentary value added to your catering during the event, extra discounts to use for your year-end function, Free Room upgrades and Hilton Honors points.
The participating Hotels are Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Hilton Petaling Jaya, Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Hilton Kuching, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, DoubleTree by Hilton Melaka, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, and Hilton Garden Inn Puchong.
This new meeting package is available for booking from October 1 to December 31 2018, for events that take place from October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.
Siloso Beach in Sentosa has opened a brand new events space, Glass House, within the C Side beach destination.
Glass House stands next to the Coastes beach bar and restaurant, and boasts floor-to-ceiling glass walls – which allows in lots of natural sunlight – and an al fresco deck area overlooking the beach. The 84m2 air-conditioned space can accommodate up to 120 people for a standing reception, to 80 people for a sit-down affair.
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Glass House exterior
Corporate dinner setup
Food and drinks can be catered from the main kitchen at Coastes.
To book out the entire space, a minimum F&B spending or venue rental of S$3,000 (US$2,176) or S$4,000 is required for weekdays and weekends respectively. Rates are based on four-hour booking blocks.
The completion of the revamp’s first phase in December 2017 added 130 luxury rooms and suites, while the second phase is due to finish this fall with 178 rooms.
Rooms
Established Thai architecture firm, PIA Interior Company, was tasked with outfitting the accommodation with a new look. The result are rooms and suites exuding understated elegance, melding traditional Thai elements with modern touches. The lightwood flooring matched with neutral gray and brown tones to give the space a sophisticated yet relaxing feel.
Despite its understated look, the expansive suite at closer look will rich decor features, such as a glass-encased royal barge sculpture (complete with engravings of mythical creatures), grey-and-white murals depicting life during Thailand’s olden days, and poems of the legendary Thai poet Sunthorn Phu inscribed on the bed headboard.
The accommodation enhancement also kept functionality in mind, with the traditional desk ditched in favour of a lounge area that comes with a plush sofa, adding to amenities such as a kitchenette, flatscreen TV, and a sleek bathroom.
MICE facilities
JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok offers 1,400m2 of flexible event spaces spread across three floors. Spanning a variety of sizes between 56m2 and 470m2, most meeting rooms are named after iconic areas in the hotel’s vicinity – think Lumpini, Ploenchit, Sukhumvit, etc.
The Grand Ballroom, which was given a facelift in 2014, can accommodate up to 600 guests, and is equipped with the latest audiovisual technology and LED lighting.
Other facilities
The hotel has eight F&B outlets in total, offering a selection of cuisines ranging from the New York Steakhouse to the Tsu Japanese Restaurant. For relaxation, there’s a health club and spa, outdoor swimming pool, and whirlpool.
Service
If the new suite is a sign of things to come, I’m looking forward to the completion of the facelift in 2019.
Kurt Otto Wehinger has been appointed general manager of Pan Pacific Singapore, transferring from Australia where he was the general manager of Parkroyal Darling Harbour and area general manager for Oceania for the past 2.5 years.
A hospitality veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Wehinger is not unfamiliar with Singapore, as he was the general manager of Marina Mandarin Singapore for seven years prior to joining Pan Pacific Hotel Group.
An Austrian national, Wehinger’s career has taken him to various destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US, where he managed hotels under international brands including Kempinski, Millennium & Copthorne, and Intercontinental.
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