Press Room

The Meetings Show returns to London’s ExCel on June 29 with Penang having the honour of launching the tradeshow and at the same time, announce to the world that Penang is open for business beginning 2022. This year, is the show’s 10th edition and Penang’s minister of tourism and creative economy, Mr.Yeoh Soon Hin officially opened the event.

Mr Yeoh mentioned at the show that the opening of international borders in Malaysia will, revitalise the tourism industry in the country and once again transform the industry into a thriving economic sector. It will definitely stated Mr, Yeoh, resurrect other enterprises in the industry, as well as provide new business opportunities.

Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau took the opportunity to introduce its BElong Campaign to the how.  The chief executive of the bureau, Mr. Ashwin Gunasekaran explained that the first two letters of the campaign ‘BE’ while it denotes Business Events can, also be used as a term “belong” which signifies having an affinity for a specific place or situation, as well as a sense of belonging.

The campaign goals send a positive message that Penang is working towards maintaining destination awareness and that its back in business with  health and safety measures for corporate events. The bureau is also looking   at to increase requests for proposals and interests in events to be held in Penang.

In Penang, the business events industry has been active in updating their products for example the popular Habitat Penang Hill, covered by rainforest, has recently won the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Award Urban Category 2022 and is recognised by UNESCO as Malaysia’s third biosphere reserve.

The award was for the best marketing strategy in a changing exhibition industry and, in recognition of the programme’s timeliness, originality, and impact on the exhibition industry.

Over the past two years, ‘MICE Winnovation’ has proven to be a marketing booster for the exhibition industry in Thailand. In 2021, TCEB received applications from organisers seeking innovation and technology for 26 events.

TCEB then tracked the economic impacts of the technology introduced in 10 of these events. The results were revealing: the technology adopted created 63.54 million euro in value from a budget of 190,000 euro.

Top two areas implementing new technologies were the organisation of hybrid events and crowd management for health and safety purposes.

In 2022, TCEB continues to promote hybrid technology for events and help MICE organisers in the country, explore the use of robotics, automation, and facial recognition to boost productivity and enhance visitor experience.

‘MICE Winnovation’is a collaboration between TCEB and six partners namely the National Science and Technology Development Agency,  National Innovation Agency, Digital Economy Promotion Agency, Thai Exhibition Association, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association and Thailand International Events & Festivals Trade Association.

Inspired by the glory days of Parisian art-deco of the chic vibe of early 20^th century Paris, Metropole Underground is a unique addition to the famously lively bar scene in Phnom Penh.

Discreetly located in the basement of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the sophisticated space offers premium drinks, light gourmet bites, and nightly live entertainment featuring; bands and DJ beats.

The metro system in the French capital was a major inspiration for the bar, with replicas of cast iron detailing from the original Paris Metro, integrated into the space and transformed into sculptural and decorative elements.

The result is a compelling blend of European and Khmer influences.

Now with the new Metropole Underground, it completes a compelling lineup of options for revelry in Phnom Penh.

This is MyCEB’s first trip to Indonesia to reach out to its counterpart in that country, which share similarities in; culture, economic prosperity, and the business events industry. This November, Indonesia will be hosting the G20 Summit of world leaders.

A gathering of industry key opinion leaders, in particular representatives from; Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association, Indonesia Convention and Exhibition, Jakarta Convention Centre, professional conference organisers, both public and private sectors, and several local media had resulted in a positive meeting.

Discussion was centred on potential prospects for strategic collaboration between the two countries in business events, through more business-to-business opportunities for the region, amidst the impact of the pandemic.

Malaysia’s opening of borders on April 1 has benefited the industry, which saw a boost in business event visitors to the country.  The country has lifted the requirement to undergo covid-19 PCR testing, as well as dispensing with covid-19 insurance for visitors coming into the country.

The hybrid event introduces new initiatives such as hybrid business meets, three-dimensional virtual exhibition and scheduled meetings with broadcasts streaming and remote participation. There will be three days of in-person event which will begin from September 20 to 22 with nine days of virtual networking from September 20 to 28.

“This year’s show aims to deliver a brand new format like never before, differentiating IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2022 hybrid from any other experience as our industry continues to evolve to stay versatile. After two years of meeting virtually, our hybrid concept introduces new and improved initiatives,” said Ms. Lynette Tay, event manager of TTG Events.

Face-to-face meets will once again be back this year for opportunities to engage in business with added knowledge and networking access exclusively available during the virtual networking event.

The show has been organised by Turkish Airlines since 2014 as part of its global communication campaign to showcase the MICE industry in Turkey and the Bosphourus Region.

This year marked the 9th event held by the airline in Istanbul with the theme ‘A Sustainable Future’.

Some 7,840 visitors from 20 countries attended the show between May 25 to 27 with 201 exhibiting companies featuring convention and exhibition bureaus, hotels, convention centres, event management companues, destination management companies, professional conference organisers, software companies, event production and audio and lighting display companies.

After three days of intense business meetings, the show ended with an unforgettable entertainment night of an ‘AMEzing Party’ at the CVK Park Bosphorus.  Guest enjoyed a relaxed evening atmosphere with magnificent light display and dance performance.

The International Congress and Convention Association has released its annual analysis of association meetings worldwide. The latest ICCA Ranking Report examines 8,000 meetings scheduled for the year 2021, and categorises them, based on how meetings, were impacted by the covid-19 pandemic. The report, compares last year’s affected meetings with ICCA’s analysis of meetings in 2020.

Also revealed  in the 2021 report, was the mentality that the “show must go on” in the industry with the market share of virtual and hybrid meetings, doubled in just one year. While business continuation increased by 30 percent and, business cancellation dropped from 61 percent to 31 percent.

The Middle East had the highest business continuation rate of all regions at 77 percent. This was followed by Latin America, at 72 percent and Asia 71 percent. While Latin America demonstrated, the most significant growth, in business continuation compared to 2020 which saw, an increase of 35 percent.

After a hiatus in 2020, ICCA’s Destination Performance Index has also returned. The DPI ranks destinations’ success in winning original bids, covid-19 event policies and adaptability as well as, technological capabilities to convert on-site events into virtual or hybrid events maintaining business continuation.

“Now that the global meetings industry has had more time to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, we wanted to acknowledge and reward the effort of destinations to not only keep these crucial meetings going but also, to improve their business operations. The investments that destinations have made in new technologies, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives will, continue to drive our industry forward,” said ICCA’s chief executive officer, Mr. Senthil Gopinath.

He added: “Although we have yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers, we have gained significant ground on the road to full recovery. Further, we have transformed the meetings industry in the process.”

He stated the report delivers a more holistic representation of the pandemic’s impact on association meetings globally. It shows strong and definitive signs of progressive recovery for the industry.

The full 2021 ICCA Ranking Destination Performance Index is available to ICCA members.

The government of Western Australia has included in its 2022-23 state budget, an increase of AUD31 million in funding for tourism events. This along with AUD20 million for a new Major Events Fund, of which AUD5 million has been allocated for the hosting of business events.

This funding is in addition to the AUD15 million, Reconnect WA package, announced in December of 2021.

The boost in funding comes at a pivotal time for Western Australia’s business events industry, which is poised to experience a significant period of growth and recovery, following the reopening of Western Australia’s border.

“The impact of covid-19 on the business events industry has resulted in a massive hit, in terms of real losses and future business confidence, so this funding boost is well timed as we continue our efforts to secure lucrative business events to re-energise and rebuild the many venues and small businesses who are, still struggling two years into this pandemic,” said Mr. Bradley Woods, chair of Business Events Perth.

Whilst Western Australia’s tourism minister Mr. Roger Cook reiterated that: the increased funding would maximise opportunities for the state in securing lucrative business events for the state’s economy and tourism sector.

Mr. Cook said: “This is the next stage in turbo-charging Western Australia’s economic transition after the successful management of covid-19 for more than two years.”

He further mentioned a revived program of business events will, help Western Australia, create an economic legacy beyond the value of initial tourism expenditure.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association has endorsed Mr. Peter Semone as the chair of the association’s executive board during the 71^st PATA Annual General Meeting held virtually on May 13.

PATA also elected six new members to its executive board.  They are: Mr. Benjamin Liao of the Forte Hotel Group, Chinese Taipei; Mr. Suman Pandey, Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, Nepal; Mr. Tunku Iskandar of Mitra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia; Mr. SanJeet, DDP Publications Private Ltd., India; Mr. Luzi Matzig of Asian Trails Ltd., Thailand; and Dr. Fanny Vong from Institute for Tourism Studies of Macao, China.

Top left to right: Peter Semone; Benjamin Liao; Suman Pandey; and Tunku Iskandar.

Below left to right: Luzi Matzig; Abdulla Mausoom; Noredah Othman; SanJeet; and Fanny Vong.

They will be joining current executive board members Dr. Abdulla Mausoom from the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives and Ms. Noredah Othman of Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia.

While Mr. Benjamin Liao and Mr. Suman Pandey were elected as the new vice chairman and secretary cum treasurer.

Supported by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the 2023 ICCA Congress, will coincide with Bangkok showcasing the first half of the city’s 20 year strategic development plan; that of transforming into the ‘Metropolitan City of Asia’.

It is also the year of economic revival for Thailand, as the country opens up to the world again stated by the president of TCEB, Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.

Mr. Chiruit also pointed out that one segment of the congress programme which is particularly important for Thailand’s MICE professionals, is the ICCA Business Exchange.

The session where ICCA members share vital commercial information on the bidding process, selection criteria and budgets of their recent events, which can provide essential guidance to Thai MICE players in crafting winning bids.

TCEB will invite 20 local associations to attend ICCA’s Incredible Impacts Programme meeting where the spotlight, will be on how international conventions have helped bring positive change to societies around the world, leaving behind legacies for local communities and the next generation.

For Thailand, hosting the ICCA Congress 2023 will generate substantial economic returns, with business opportunities for the country’s MICE community.

More than 1,000 overseas and 200 Thai delegates are expected to attend the congress. It’s estimated the congress itself, will generate three million USD in revenue, and have other positive impacts such as: job creation; tax revenue; as well as added values to the Thailand economy.

This will be ICCA’s sixty second congress and Thailand has been a member of ICCA since 1974.