The US has retained its crown in ICCA’s 2016 top 10 country rankings while Paris has succeeding in taking over Berlin’s spot as the most popular city for international association meetings.
Top 20 country ranking by number of meetings organised in 2016
The US hosted 934 meetings in 2016, holding nine more meetings than in 2015. Germany and the UK remain in second and third positions respectively, while France and Spain have swapped places to fourth and fifth respectively.
Italy and Japan have also managed to stay put in sixth and seventh spot, however the latter now shares its seat with China, which has improved by one place.
The Netherlands drops from shared eighth to ninth. In the 10th position, newcomer Portugal (12th in 2015) shares the spot with Canada, whose position is unchanged.
Top 20 city ranking by number of meetings organised in 2016
Meanwhile, ICCA’s researchers have placed Paris in top spot in the 2016 city rankings, for hosting 196 qualified meetings in 2016. The French capital was number one in 2014.
2015’s champion Berlin has fallen from first to fourth place, while Vienna has climbed two places to second. Barcelona and London remain third and fifth respectively. Newcomer Amsterdam (12th in 2015) shares seventh spot with Madrid, and Lisbon has held on to her ninth position.
Asian winners Singapore has jumped from seventh to sixth, while Seoul has crossed into the top 10 chart from 13th to 10th.
Along with the latest chart toppers, ICCA has reported 136 more international association meetings being held in 2016, with a total of 12,212 events on record.
Statistics also revealed that the number of association meetings had doubled this decade, from under 6,000 in 2006 to over 12,000 in 2016.
Nine organisations and individuals were recognised for their achievements in the Experience Excellence (MICE) category at the Singapore Tourism Awards 2017 last Friday.
The winners were:
Best Association Conference Organiser: Kranji Countryside Association, for 27th Commonwealth Agriculture Conference
Best Business Event Service Provider: Ace:Daytons Direct Int’l, for Singapore MICE Forum 2016
Best Business Event Venue: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Best Exhibition Organiser: UBM SES, for Food&HotelAsia2016
Best Meeting / Incentive Organiser: PMG Asia Pacific, for Aruba APAC Atmosphere 2016
Best Trade Conference Organiser: Unbound, for InnovFest unbound 2016
Best Business Event Champions: Chan Yew Weng, chairman of World Congress of Anaesthesiologists 2024 Bid Committee; Erik Juul-Mortensen, president of Tax Free World Association
Exceptional Achievement: Kingsmen Exhibits, for receiving the Best Business Event Service Provider award for the past three consecutive years 2016, 2015 and 2014
In addition, Janet Tan-Collis, president of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers received the highest accolade of the evening – Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.
Janet Tan-Collis received the highest accolade this year
Tan-Collis’ win was attributed to her unwavering commitment to developing talent and resources for the MICE industry, working with MICE associations to develop education programmes and further entrenching Singapore’s position as Asia’s centre for MICE thought leadership.
This year’s Singapore Tourism Awards, held at Shangri-La Hotel, recognised 31 individuals and organisations from across Singapore’s tourism and service industry.
Place Borneo, the only PCO in Kuching, opened a branch office – Place Business Events – in Kuala Lumpur in early April.
Its founder and managing director, Mona Abdul Manap, said: “It is a natural progression. Many of our clients such as associations and universities are in Kuala Lumpur, so it makes sense to open an office there.”
In addition, Place Borneo will be opening its second branch office – Place Borneo (Sabah) – next month in Sabah’s state capital, Kota Kinabalu.
Mona: natural growth for Place Borneo
Established only last year, Place Borneo has organised three major events – the 15th World Toilet Summit 2016, 21st Joint Singapore-Malaysia Nursing Conference 2016, and 4th Miri Country Music Festival in February 2017. From this year on, the annual music festival will be organised by the company.
Mona’s vision for Place Borneo is to produce seamless and impactful events. “At Place Borneo, we try to incorporate that into all our events, while still ensuring that the event is profitable for clients, impactful and educational for delegates, and beneficial to the local community of the event venue,” she said.
A music lover, she also sees potential of creating a home-grown music and food festival in Kuala Lumpur, and is currently ironing out the details for a possible 2018 launch.
From December 11-12, 2017, Dubai will hold its first Dubai Association Conference with the theme Building A Community.
The inaugural conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is designed to cater to an increasing number of associations that are looking to expand in the Middle East, and the growing industries across disciplines from technology and healthcare to education and finance.
It will also provide a platform for participants to gain insights from international and regional experts on the latest trends in areas such as membership, online communities, restructuring education, volunteerism and governance, among others.
As well, the conference will facilitate sessions that offer an exclusive opportunity for key opinion leaders and association executives to engage in discussions aimed at exploring and nurturing new partnerships and relevant opportunities.
Aimed at reinforcing the role that associations play in Dubai’s socio-economic development and its transition to a knowledge-based economy, the conference was created by the Dubai Association Centre (DAC) – a joint initiative by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and DWTC.
Issam: targeting expanding associations
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “It is undeniable that trade and professional associations play a key role in driving social integration, competitiveness, and knowledge sharing, and therefore support in the development of a knowledge economy. As associations look to expand their footprint around the world, our aim is for Dubai to be at the top of their list.”
Hassan Al Hashemi, member of the executive committee of DAC, and vice president of international relations, Dubai Chamber, added that the event will also support objectives outlined under Dubai Chamber’s 2017-2021 strategy, including its aim to boost the emirate’s global profile as a preferred hub for trade and investment.
The DAC has already achieved considerable progress since it was launched in 2014. In 2016, the centre saw a 100 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of associations registered in Dubai.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has welcomed 32 new member hotels across 15 countries to its brand portfolio, most of which are equipped with business event facilities.
The new additions range from resorts to city-centre hotels, and are all independent properties.
Properties in Asia that welcome business events include Aryaduta Jakarta in Indonesia; Fortune Select JP Cosmos in Bengaluru, India; Shilla Stay Seocho in Seoul, South Korea; and Shilla Stay Haeundae in Busan, South Korea.
Aryaduta Jakarta, Indonesia
Farther afield, business event planners utilising Preferred’s network now have access to properties such as Baccarat Hotel New York in the US; Hotel Midmost in Barcelona, Spain; and The Thief in Oslo, Norway.
Ananda Hua Hin Resort & Spa, a five-star beach resort in Hua Hin which opened on April 1, has unveiled its Grand Ballroom.
With capacity for 700 delegates theatre-style or 500 guests banquet-style, the 900m2 space can be used for conferences, exhibitions, meetings or celebrations. It can also be reconfigured to offer up to five smaller venues.
Meeting spaces feature cutting-edge technology including digital PA systems, wireless high-speed Internet access, audiovisual equipment, and adjustable sound and lighting.
The hotel is also able to conduct activity programmes.
David Barrett, the resort’s consultant, MICE, shared: “Customised corporate teambuilding activities include the Resort Challenge, which is a scavenger hunt around the grounds, and the Bike A Build Donation, where teams construct a bike and donate to underprivileged children.”
Ananda Hua Hin Resort & Spa offers 162 rooms, 11 suites and 23 pool villas, where the villas range from 188m2 to 268m2 in size. Recreational facilities on the property include a pool, kids’ club, spa, as well as four F&B options.
The Star Event Centre in Sydney has launched 19 menus, available exclusively for event bookings.
The new menu offers a wide range of food styles to choose from, and encompasses everything from breakfast to dinner and cocktails to high tea.
Event organisers also have access to extensive menu options for beverages, international cuisine, and The Star’s signature restaurants, with unique buffet, crew and rider selections also available.
The menus were borne of the culinary vision of executive chef at The Star Sydney, Jason Alcock.
Chinese dinner menus are available too
Alcock shared: “An enviable line up of the best chefs in Australia from The Star’s award-winning signature restaurants – including Dany Karam, executive chef at Black Bar & Grill; Chase Kojima, executive chef and founder of Sokyo; and Gabriele Taddeucci, executive chef at Balla – have brought their ideas to the table. Each chef has designed menu items that harness local and premium produce to transform event cuisine into a complete dining experience.
“In addition, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with clients to tailor menus that align and enhance their event vision,” he added.
Following an NZ$12 million (US$8.3 million) refurbishment, Mecure Wellington has been rebranded into the Grand Mecure Wellington, a flagship property.
Overlooking the city’s Cuban Quarter, all guestrooms and suites have undergone a makeover and now feature 49-inch TVs, Bose sound systems and rainshowers in the ensuites. As well, three additional executive guestrooms have been added, bringing the total number of rooms to 114.
Facilities on the property include free Wi-Fi, six pillarless meeting spaces, a 12m-long indoor heated swimming pool and gym (to open mid-2017). As well, a new standalone restaurant, the Forage Kitchen + Bar – which incorporates a nose-to-tail and flower-to-root philosophy – has been added.
Grand Mercure Wellington joins a network of over 40 Grand Mercure hotels in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The capital city has a successful track record in attracting and hosting large-scale congresses
Over the past few years, Malaysia has emerged as a popular destination for international leisure and business travellers. We are seeing more and more international organisers selecting Malaysia as the destination for conferences and meetings – more commonly known now as business events.
ICCA statistics could be used to compare Malaysia’s standing in business events, particularly in the international associations meetings market. ICCA track association meetings based on the following criteria: the association meeting must have at least 50 participants, is organised on a regular basis, and is rotated among three countries at least.
In 2015, ICCA captured a record number of 12,076 rotating international association meetings. Within Asia-Pacific, Malaysia ranked ninth in the number of meetings, fourth in average meeting size, and seventh in the number of total delegates.
International Association Meetings in Asia Pacific – 2014 and 2015
The exhibition segment is also an important component of the business events market that Malaysia is targeting. According to UFI data, Malaysia currently stands at number 10 in terms of annual size of total space sold within the region.
Trade Fair Markets By Estimated Net Square Metres Sold – 2015
Benefits beyond tourism
Despite the bright growth potential, the profile of the business events industry is not as prominent as the other segments in the tourism sector, such as the leisure market or eco-tourism. Until recently, the business events sector was only measured based on its contributions to the tourism industry.
Undeniably, like other tourism segments, the business events sector stimulates business for hospitality-related companies. Based on studies that are supported by international experience, the business event visitor spends three times more than the average tourist and has a large multiplier effect. Around 40 per cent of them travel with spouses and 60 per cent of them return as tourists later.
However, many have overlooked one key fact – the business events sector makes a broader contribution to the national economy beyond mere ringgit and sen.
According to UNWTO, in addition to being one of the key drivers of the tourism industry’s development, the business events sector is an important generator of income, employment and investment – benefits that go beyond tourism.
Today, countries all over Asia are on the move – they want a piece of the business events market because they understand that this sector offers immense benefits. If Malaysia is not proactive, she will lose out to competitors.
These are some of the advantages of the business events sector:
– Spreads knowledge and enhances innovation: The sector offers an opportunity to bring world’s best practices and international knowledge to the local sector. This will result in stronger local knowledge which then helps in capacity building within the local tourism industry
– Enhances international profile and reputation of Malaysia: Business events are capable of creating awareness for Malaysia due to local and global media coverage.
– Creates ongoing legacy for research: New collaborations formed through networking sessions can escalate the development of new products and technologies.
– Boost educational outcomes: Business events offer opportunities for capacity building for early-career researchers and practitioners, young people in the industry, emerging leaders as well as postgraduate students.
– Networking opportunity: Stakeholders from all over the world and from various sectors, such as researchers, academics, suppliers, practitioners, all convene during a conference, which provides face-to-face networking opportunities.
Business events bring much more than tourism dollars to a destination’s economy
A promising 2017 for business events tourism
Business challenges are abound in 2017. To rise above these, business events operators must remain optimistic and innovative by focusing on high-growth activities and industry sectors. Three top trends will shape the growth of business events in 2017:
1. Ease of travel and safety. In view of the current uncertainty in the world, ease of travel and safety will be a main concern and will influence the selection of meetings location. Managing safety and security issues related to meetings will be a top priority for any meeting planner.
2. Increasing prevalence of technology in meetings and conventions. Technology will continue to have significant impact on the organisation of meetings and conventions, and challenge the industry. The Internet of things, social media and mobile devices are behind this transformation.
3. Creativity. Organiser needs to be more creative in terms of delivering business events that engage attendees in more multidisciplinary ways. Because of digitisation, event technology will be inherent in every element of the meeting experience from pre-show to post.
Untapped potential The business events sector is definitely capable of being an agent of change for both the tourism industry as well as the socio-economic transformation of Malaysia. And there is never a better time than now to snap up the vast opportunities the business events sector has to offer.
Local players first must have a better understanding of the needs and drivers behind the business events industry to be able to better engage and cater to their demands. Business events segment is very different from the leisure tourist.
In addition to a high level of standards and service, Malaysia industry players need to innovate their product offerings and design more ‘wow’ experiential activities. Malaysia also lacks unique off-site venues that cater to the international market, compared with our neighbouring destinations. As such, product innovation is key to strengthening Malaysia’s competitive edge and to meet the current and future needs of clients.
To tap into the business events market, industry players need to engage with meeting planners and association organisers at an international level. We need to profile and market ourselves more internationally. Cross collaboration between partners and government agencies is also critical to success.
Victor Wee is a professor with the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts at Taylor’s University. He enjoyed a distinguished civil service career where he served as Tourism Ministry secretary-general as well as chairman of Tourism Malaysia. He led the formulation of the Tourism Laboratory for the Economic Transformation Programme that served as the roadmap for the tourism industry for 2010 to 2020.
The first Four Points hotel has arrived in Japan with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Hakodate on May 2.
Located within walking distance of Hakodate JR Station and 20 minutes by car from Hakodate Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Hakodate is a convenient accommodation option for both business and leisure travellers.
For business event planners, the hotel offers more than 1,200m2 of versatile function facilities, including a grand banquet hall which can take in up to 600 guests.
Other facilities include an all-day dining restaurant which serves authentic Japanese cuisine alongside international favourites, a bar on the top floor where diners can enjoy night views of Hakodate, and a spa.
The newly-opened Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok anchors the One Bangkok development with cosmopolitan elegance. Featuring the city's largest ballroom and a spectacular new penthouse suite, it delivers exceptional hardware and deeply authentic, soulful service for business and leisure travellers alike
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