Press Room

Greg O’Dell is elected as president with Peter King the vice president and Julianne Jammer, treasurer of the International Association of Convention Centre.  The new board members will serve for the 2021 to 2023 term.

O’ Dell is the president and chief executive officer of Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, DC.  King is the chief executive officer of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Jammer is the managing director of the Swiss Tech Convention Center.

Greg O’Dell president of AIPC.

Peter King vice president of AIPC.

AIPC is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers worldwide. Founded in 1958, it has a global network of some 190 leading centres in 61 countries, with the active involvement of more than 900 management-level professionals.

Julianne Jammer is treasurer of AIPC.

The business events and tourism industry in Sarawak became the first industry in the country, to initiate the setting up of an industrial vaccination centre for covid-19 – led by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Federation Ministry of Health of Malaysia and Timberland Medical Centre.

Over 2,000 industry front liners have voluntarily registered, for the industrial vaccination programme through their respective employers, which was held from June 24 to 27 this year at the Association of Churches Sarawak.

A total of 321 industry partners were vaccinated on the first day on June 24, and it is anticipated, that all registered participants, will be vaccinated throughout the four-day programme.

Currently, Sarawak has the highest number of vaccinations being given out in the country, with over one million people vaccinated. This heightens the prospects of Sarawak loosening travel restrictions for the purpose of hosting regional business events before end of the year.

Amelia Roziman, chief executive officer of Business Events Sarawak stated that: despite the current situation, Sarawak’s business events industry is already laying the groundwork to prepare for business and travel again.

She said when events return to Sarawak, the industry is equipped to implement the standard operating procedures of the pandemic with business events planners, taking advantage of incentivised packages offered and attending extensive education programmes.

Currently added the chief executive officer, discussions are being held between BESarawak and the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau to forge a possible interstate collaboration in an effort, to reopen the country’s business events industry.

The global economy is expected to expand 5.6 percent in 2021, the fastest post-recession pace in 80 years, largely on strong rebounds from a few major economies. However, many emerging market and developing economies continue to struggle with the covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath, the World Bank says in its June 2021 Global Economic Prospects.

Despite the recovery, global output will be about two percent below pre-pandemic projections by the end of this year. Per capita income losses will not be unwound by 2022 for about two-thirds of emerging market and developing economies. Among low-income economies, where vaccination has lagged, the effects of the pandemic have reversed poverty reduction gains and aggravated insecurity and other long-standing challenges.

Among major economies, U.S. growth is projected to reach 6.8 percent this year, reflecting large-scale fiscal support and the easing of pandemic restrictions. Growth in other advanced economies is also firming, but to a lesser extent. Among emerging markets and developing economies, China is anticipated to rebound to 8.5 percent this year, reflecting the release of pent-up demand.

Emerging market and developing economies as a group are forecast to expand six percent this year, supported by higher demand and elevated commodity prices. However, the recovery in many countries is being held back by a resurgence of covid-19 cases and lagging vaccination progress, as well as the withdrawal of policy support in some instances. Excluding China, the rebound in this group of countries is anticipated to be a more modest 4.4 percent.

The recovery among emerging market and developing economies is forecast to moderate to 4.7 percent in 2022. Even so, gains in this group of economies are not sufficient to recoup losses experienced during the 2020 recession, and output in 2022 is expected to be 4.1 percent below pre-pandemic projections.

Per capita income in many emerging market and developing economies is also expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels, and losses are anticipated to worsen deprivations associated with health, education and living standards. Major drivers of growth had been expected to lose momentum even before the covid-19 crisis, and the trend is likely to be amplified by the scarring effects of the pandemic.

Growth in low-income economies this year is anticipated to be the slowest in the past 20 years other than 2020, partly reflecting the very slow pace of vaccination. Low-income economies are forecast to expand by 2.9 percent in 2021 before picking up to 4.7 percent in 2022. The group’s output level in 2022 is projected to be 4.9 percent lower than pre-pandemic projections.

Excerpt from press release by The World Bank

The partnership event will bring together professionals from across the world for four days of one-to-one business meetings, networking sessions and a programme of live and on-demand education sessions.  It will be held at the Marina Bay Sands from June 28 to July 1.

Singapore MICE Forum or SMF is a flagship industry event of Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers.

SMF x IBTM Wired will also gather a group of up to 250 event professionals in Singapore with an estimation of up to 1000 joining online, for a day of focused discussions on how event design, digital and community engagement are cornerstones of business success

Expert speakers from PCMA, UFI, Singapore Tourism Board, SACEOS, and several leading organisations will share and exchange views, on proven transformative ideas and how the industry can apply them.

IBTM Wired is now a permanent addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of B2B events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.

For more information visit: ibtmwired.com

The event will take place online from June 28 to July 1 and is a permanent addition to IBTM’s global portfolio of B2B events and intelligence for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry.

Built by Sector Global, the event will be open 24 hours a day for the event’s duration to enable the global community tailor their schedule to their time zone. During the event, attendees will embark on a virtual world tour.

Each day, will provide key insights into a region, from industry outlooks to expert opinions that will help professionals discover new opportunities, expand their areas of focus, and get the latest information on each region’s recovery.

Schedule of the event:

• Asia Pacific (June 28) IBTM has partnered with SACEOS (Singapore Association for Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers) to create SMF X IBTM Wired, which will see this year’s hybrid Singapore MICE Forum (SMF) integrated into the programme for IBTM Wired with an education programme that focuses on new ways of community engagement, design thinking and innovation.
• North and South America (June 29) when the education programme will delve into how to deliver quality experiences and premium service.
• Middle East and Africa (June 30) with education sessions focusing on networking, data and analysis, and energy.
• Europe (July 1) when the sessions will explore power and success within learning and development.

Meanwhile IBTM TV will run a packed programme of live and on-demand education sessions that will provide valuable learning experiences, inspirational ideas and the sharing of best practices giving professionals, the key tools for the next chapter in meetings and events.

For more information, please visit www.ibtmwired.com

MICE in Asia is a media partner of IBTM Wired.

In Hong Kong art lovers, luxury goods and antique collectors, and connoisseurs flocked to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre over a period of 10 days from May 19, to attend three prestigious art events: the Art Basel Hong Kong 2021; Art Central; and Christie’s Hong Spring Auctions 2021.

This is the first time, that the events were held over the same period which were cancelled last year because of the pandemic.

International exhibitors and buyers were still not able to attend physically due to travel restrictions. International galleries however, were represented and local art lovers and collectors came out to support the events who were thrilled to finally meet face-to-face.

“We have a lot of clients who want to purchase our artworks. This is the best time to catch up with the clients to show our works,” said Yiping Deng, gallery assistant of Avenue Des Arts Contemporary Art Gallery.

While Kelvin Yang, managing director, Galerie du Monde, pointed out that the essence of physical shows is that online display could not replace the experience of physically appreciating the artwork, and to feel its volume, colour and structure.

The managing director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Management, Monica Lee-Müller is confident in the progressive recovery of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry as the local pandemic situation eases off.

The state government of Victoria has announced that it will commit to invest AUD 42,913 million over a period of four years to support the Melbourne Convention Bureau and Business Events Victoria to acquire business events for the state.

“This commitment recognises the essential role business events play in the Victorian visitor economy, and their contribution to innovation, job creation, trade and investment opportunities, for the benefit of the whole community,” said Melbourne Convention Bureau’s executive officer, Julia Swanson.

She added the business events sector has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and these measures not only support the business events sector now, they also ensure sustainability and growth of the sector for the future.

Despite the pandemic, MCB’s work in international markets has continued to secure high yield events for the city out to 2028.

Currently Melbourne Convention Bureau is managing AUD 547 million worth of bids that have the potential, to contribute 254,000 room nights for the hotel and accommodation sector.

Trends showed in the survey, will help the meetings industry of countries in Latin-America, Inter-America, Ibero-America and Pan-America navigate through the recovery phase.

In the  survey conducted by the South American M.I.C.E Alliance showed: a medium term recovery of the meetings industry with 60 percent of associations interviewed, plan to organise at least three events, during the next five years; and a short term recovery in the corporate sector.

Results of the survey indicated that In-person events continue to be an option for associations. High season projection for meetings remains between the months of August and November for the Latin-American region.

Post covid era will mark a difference in the way associations select destination for their events. Preference will be based on such criteria as bio safety protocols, country’s entry requirements, prices and cancellation policies.

Services that will be more required by associations for the organisation of their events are in order of hotels, virtual platforms, convention centres and venues, audiovisual equipment and transportation.

While in the corporate sector, a more rapid recovery represented mainly in incentive trips, even in the short-term of the second semester of 2021 and 2022. Two thirds of the respondents have already received requests and have sent proposals for these periods.

In regards with the selection of destination, the key factors are totally similar to those presented in the associations market: implementation of bio security protocols; country´s entry requirements; vaccination plan; and costs.

The survey also highlighted that the return of in-person events showed an opportunity for the hybrid component, as a way for associations to meet regular number of attendees, or even, increase it. In the second semester of 2021 in-person events presented a growing trend  that will, continue to rise in 2022.

The global market for Halal products is estimated to be about USD1.3 trillion, and the Halal market itself is said to be valued at USD6 billion annually. Saudi International Halal Expo, which is set to take place from November 29 to December 1 this year at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, will feature over 200 companies locally and internationally on Halal products, and is expected to welcome visitors from 35 countries worldwide.

1st Arabia Tradeshows & Conferences organiser of the Saudi International Halal Expo, aims through the exhibition to create an ideal platform for  brands and organisations who manufacture Halal products and services, to connect with new buyers, suppliers and industry experts, and also as a  meeting point to bring together businesses in the same industry under one roof.

The event at the same time, intends to focus on developing learning opportunities to keep the Halal market in line with the latest trends and certification protocols.

On the overall, the Halal industry has expanded beyond the food sector to include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health products, medical devices, logistics, packaging, branding, finance, lifestyle, fashion and print and electronic media as well as, the service sector of  travel, tourism and hospitality.

Society of Incentive Travel, the global voice of the incentive travel industry has entered into a strategic partnership with Hilton, the global hospitality company. Through the partnership, Hilton will play an active role in the SITE community as well as, participating in global events and integrated marketing efforts of SITE.

The hospitality company will also host SITE Classic which is slated to be held from September 8 to 11 this year.

“SITE Classic is SITE Foundation’s flagship fundraiser, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of our research, education and advocacy programs, on behalf of the incentive travel industry, “said Terry Manion, president of SITE Foundation.

At the same time, the strategic partnership provides Hilton with the opportunity to engage with SITE members through live and on-line events and various communication platforms, including SITEGlobal.com.

“Hilton is excited to grow our partnership with SITE and continue our mission of listening to and expanding our audiences and offerings in innovative ways to meet the evolving industry landscape,” said Vito Curalli, Hilton’s executive director, international sales & industry relations.