Press Room

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.

The Expo will be one of the first mega-events to take place since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and shall run from October 1, 2021 until March 2022.

It is expected to welcome more than 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, academic institutions and businesses. Also for the first time in the 170-year history of World Expos, each participating country will have its own pavilion of a dedicated space, where it can showcase its culture and progress to the world.

At the same time, the Expo has been awarded the highest rating by CEEQUAL for eight of its infrastructure projects in terms of engineering, landscaping and public spaces. CEEQUAL is internationally recognised for its sustainability assessment on civil engineering with rating and certification for best practices in infrastructure projects.

Rating range from a pass at 30 percent to excellent at 75 percent accessed across a range of sustainability issues including land use, ecology, transport, resilience and pollution.

Expo 2020 is the first project in the Middle East to receive an ‘Excellent’ CEEQUAL’ rating for connecting all three of its Thematic Districts as a meeting place in a shaded microclimate which is unlike anywhere in Dubai – Al Wasl Plaza exceeded the award’s highest threshold, with a 91.6 per cent score.

While the trellis and steelwork of the 130-metre by 67.5-metre Al Wasl dome, which encircles the plaza creates the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world, scored a high of 93.6 per cent.

Recent cultural highlight of the Expo is the installation of a three-dimension replica of Michelangelo’s world-famous David sculpture at the centre of the Italy Pavilion. A painstaking work by artists which included 40 hours of digital scanning of the original 16^th-century marble artwork in Florence; the creation of a three-dimensional digital model with a

resolution of 146 thousandths of a millimetre; a production by one of the world’s largest three-dimensional  printers with finishing touches painstakingly done by hand.

A survey of 134 convention bureaus in 33 European countries by Dr Rob Davidson of MICE Knowledge, showed that one in four of these bureaus, have had, reductions in staff levels.  While one in three, have suffered cuts in their public sector funding since the beginning of the pandemic.

Out of which 75 percent of convention bureaus depending on financial support from their partners or members have had, reductions in funding from those sources. Regardless of this, a clear majority of three in four of the convention bureaus are optimistic, or very optimistic about their future, according to Dr Davidson’s report: The Impacts of the Pandemic on Convention Bureaus in Europe.

Responses to the survey show that many convention bureaus, have suspended one or more of their marketing activities such as bidding and advertising while others have switched over to digitalised forms from virtual fam trips and digital awards ceremonies for ambassadors, to participation in online exhibitions.

Many have used the past year to focus on making improvements to their services, resulting, for example, in more effective websites, bid books, and use of the social media. Various European convention bureaus have also, increased their education and training activities, improving their own skills and knowledge as well as those of their stakeholders.

In terms of the convention bureaus’ predictions for the future: there is widespread expectation that the digitalisation of meetings will continue into the post-pandemic world; there will be more focus on local and national markets; health, hygiene and safety of destinations will be paramount; sustainability, wellness and the social legacy of meetings will become more relevant; and in-person meetings will be generally smaller and shorter, but will have to offer participants more genuine value.

This survey says Dr Davidson indicates that European convention bureaus are working hard to support their destinations by innovating and adapting to the immense challenges now facing them, including continuing uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic. It provides evidence that when the recovery comes, the bureaus will be ready and willing to play their part in restoring prosperity, travel and animation in their destinations.

MICE Knowledge is a London-based consultancy specialising in research, education and training for the international meetings industry.  The 48-page report, ‘The Impacts of the Pandemic on Convention Bureaus in Europe’ is available free from here:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEcZV0JIxs/sI7Z_nDgbiBuJT4z038qAQ/view?utm_content=DAEcZV0JIxs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink

The bureau has undertaken some comprehensive measures for the resumption of the MICE industry in the city, and through its strategic long-term plans aim to support hybrid models of global standard, for both face-to-face and screen-to-screen business interaction in a quality environment of cutting-edge technology with existing quarantine procedures.

Essential supports include the Reassuring Package which is designed as an effective safeguard for MICE participants when business starts up again within the year. The package provides the necessary services of emergency medical insurance, language services, general concierge services for hotel and transportation reservations.

While organisers of online and hybrid events, are eligible for financial aid with as much as KRW10 million are given as a stipend for operating expenses.

Attention however, is focused, on sustaining the local MICE industry through attracting international conferences. Application requirements have eased for event planners to receive appropriate backing when hosting an international conference. At the bidding phase assistance includes thorough consultation, official supporting letters, presentation tips and a maximum of KRW200 million during the hosting phase.

To further assist in advancing skills of event planners in responding to the needs for hybrid approaches, the bureau is developing an online platform in cooperation with the Korea Exhibition Organizers Association for consulting services in international marketing and information technology. This will help relieve the burden of event planners in producing their own online platform.

In its press release, the Seoul Convention Bureau stated: Looking ahead, the bureau is confident in gaining an increased level of global competitiveness within the local exhibition sector upon the plan being completed.

A hybrid synergy of operative quarantine countermeasures and a multi-faceted plan of bolstering the capacity of MICE professionals are anticipated to both revitalise and further the sustainability of Seoul’s MICE industry.

The Seoul Convention Bureau has also established an international alliance with convention bureaus from The Hague, Geneva, Prague, Ottawa, and Durban by joining the Hybrid City Alliance, the first Asian convention bureau to do so.

The convention centre has collaborated with award-winning Darwin based aerial photographer and artist Paul Arnold, to offer, a series of complimentary virtual backgrounds created, from the artist’s limited ‘Elevated Collection’ ranging from the floodplains of Kakadu and Cape Hotham to the shoals of Ngulbitjik in Bare Sand Island.

A uniquely stunning perspective of the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory is captured in the collection of the geographical region that is considered, the northern most part of the Australian continent that is so big that is has, a climate from tropical to rainforest in the northern half, with semi-arid desert terrain below known as the Red Zone.

Inspired by the light, colours and textures of the Northern Territory landscape, Paul Arnold’s iconic artworks has encapsulate the region like no other from the green floodplains, to the blue ocean waters, the ‘Top End’ is one continuous yet ever-changing artwork commented Arnold.

“The centre is very proud to partner with Paul Arnold for this promotion  with planning in progress for the return of national and international events, we are excited to share a little bit of ‘Top End’ magic with our clients as we work together to meet again,” said Peter Savoff, general manager of Darwin Convention Centre.

You can download your complimentary virtual backgrounds at: https://www.darwinconvention.com.au/paul-arnold-zoom-gallery.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign

Images by Paul Arnold courtesy of Darwin Convention Centre.

MyCEB recently launched its strategic marketing plan for Malaysia’s business events industry with a time frame from 2021 to 2030, to achieve its goals and position Malaysia, as a choice destination for business events and international sporting events. This also includes establishing Malaysia, as a brand for sustainable practices and digital economy

The strategic marketing plan itself evaluates critically the past strengths and weaknesses of the business events industry in the country to formulate future strategies and action plans, while embracing sustainable marketing approach driven by the continuous process of adapting to digitalisation and innovation.

Known by its acronym SMP is also in line with two of Malaysia’s tourism sector’s strategic plan that is, to make the country a cultural destination by 2025 and the National Tourism Policy of 2020 to 2030 with the SMP, emphasising more on an integrated approach towards business and international sporting events.

According to Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri who launched the strategic marketing plan, the SMP aims to contribute three percent to the travel and tourism sector of the country and, create an estimated 25,833 total employment by 2030.  She added: majority of the strategy will be driven by industry players; however, there will be a clear role for government in facilitating the growth of Malaysia’s business and international sporting events.

The SMP has six goals: for MyCeb to get going and host business events and international sporting events; Malaysia to be Asia’s top five events powerhouse by 2030; business events to contribute directly to the economy and national gross domestic product of the country; set in motion for events to be yield-driven; business events to be a key element in the country’s ministries and government agencies by 2030; and business events to connect and boost investment opportunities in the country