Press Room

The bureau is offering support to Thai MICE entrepreneurs through this programme, to embrace digital innovation and technology solutions in all aspects of event management for the purpose of business continuity, and long term competitiveness of Thailand’s MICE industry.

As  stated by the president of TCEB, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya: ‘MICE Winnovation’ will help MICE entrepreneurs in the country, to future-proof their businesses through innovation, while creating trade opportunities for start-ups and tech firms.

The  programme itself, is made up of four components: MICE Innovation Catalogue which is an online innovation and technology databank listing products and services for pre-event, onsite, and post-event management; Technomart  a business-matching platform for MICE entrepreneurs and start-ups throughout Thailand; Inno-Voucher  funding scheme to promote innovation implementation; and Digital Literacy for MICE an initiative to encourage MICE entrepreneurs to attend online or offline workshops where they can exchange ideas with experts to advance their digitalisation strategy.

TCEB is also set to launch a quarterly podcast this year, to help MICE professionals in the country to stay abreast of relevant technology and trends.

‘MICE Winnovation’ according to TCEB, is an expanded version of the bureau’s MICE innovation incubation programme started back in 2018.

Three of the countries are working to spotlight water, energy and food security.  The trilateral endevour will culminate in a high-level Water, Energy and Food Summit in January next year during the Expo 2020 Dubai.

The collaboration will leverage Expo 2020’s role as a global convener to spotlight the complex issues surrounding these three essential resources, and highlight the need for collective action, including an integrated resource management approach to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

While the Summit will be the first initiative to focus on the regional and national policy steps needed to address these challenges in an ntegrated manner, the objectives are: to explore challenges in three sectors; identify policy level solutions; and strengthen research cooperation between the three countries.

Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo hosted in the middle east, Africa and South Asia region which will held from October 1 this year to March 20, 2022.

Images above are the Expo 2020 Dubai Thematic Pavilions: Terra – Sustainability Pavilion, Alif – Mobility Pavilion and Missions Possible Opportunity Pavilion.

MICE in Asia has media accreditation with Expo 2020 Dubai.

After a successful new start in China, Messe Frankfurt has held physical events in Japan and France. The regional Beautyworld Japan Fukuoka trade fair and Texworld Evolution Showroom Paris made face-to-face business encounters possible while complying with hygiene and safety standards.

At Beautyworld Japan Fukuoka, Messe Frankfurt’s first physical event in the 2021 calendar year, 122 exhibitors presented their products and services. The regional event for the beauty industry welcomed 3,818 visitors who were eager to discover the latest trends and products in the fields of cosmetics, perfumes, personal care and wellness.

“The success of these events makes it clear that trade fairs can also be held in Japan during the pandemic. The event followed up on the success of its sister event Beautyworld Japan West, which was in held October 2020 with 224 exhibiting companies and over 22,000 visitors,” said Stephan Buurma, managing director Asia, Messe Frankfurt.

While Texworld Evolution Paris–Le Showroom welcomed more than 500 buyers and experts from the fashion, textile and apparel industries to Atelier Richelieu in early February who was, looking to identify the trends for spring and summer 2022. The industry got together in a refined and safe setting offered by the showroom to discover over 2,500 selected samples from 75 international manufacturers from some ten countries. To ensure that visitor numbers could be controlled, advance reservations for specific admission slots were required.

Visitors to the showroom enjoyed direct contact with manufacturers – submitting a total of 3,235 enquiries and requests for information, offers and orders.

Business Events Council Malaysia chairman Alan Pryor, has urged the Malaysian government to continue active engagement with the business events industry to revive the Business Events sector in the economic recovery of the country.

“As the collective voice of the Malaysia BE industry, we are actively reaching out to the government, to maintain a more consistent communication channel, to discuss how venues and the industry can help the government rehabilitate the country’s economy. 2020 was a tragic year, for the industry and it continues to be so as the industry is unable to operate in line with government restrictions. Finally with vaccines coming within reach, giving way to herd immunity, potentially allowing us to put the uncertainties behind us, the pent up demand for meetings, conferences and business events will supersede the supply,” said the chairman.

Pryor further elaborated, in a 2018 report by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibitions Bureau, the Business Events industry was expected to contribute RM3.9 billion in the incremental of Gross National Income (GNI), thus providing about 16,700 jobs, by 2020.

According to a press release by the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, in 2019 alone, the purpose-built venue conducted over 1,500 meetings and events welcoming over one million delegates and visitors generating, an estimated economic impact of almost RM 1 billion.

Meetings and events were allowed to operate in the country for a few short months in 2020 which saw, the development of a comprehensive new norm standard operating procedures which was, successful executed at events through strict enforcement of the health and safety guidelines with venues investing in innovation and creation to expand their product and service range to diversify business revenue. This stated in the press release, is before the nation retreated into yet another strict lockdown restricting inter-state travel and banning meetings and gatherings right into 2021 which, dampened all efforts, pushing the industry supply chain, into further dire conditions with a constant struggle for survival.

The venue sector in Malaysia provides employment by the thousands as a primary player in the supply chain. Closures of venues have impacted heavily on the rest of the supply chain, from hotels, destination management companies and tour operators to stand builders, contractors, retail, local produce suppliers and part-time employment. This has had a major ramification on the overall revenue contribution to the national economy of the country generated through the business events supply chain.

The elephant sanctuary, Samui Elephant Haven is struggling to feed its herd of 21 elephants in the wake of the dramatic downturn in tourist numbers to the island due the pandemic.

As a result of which, Samui Elephant Haven is spending funds previously allocated for land rental to feed its herd, prompting fears it will be unable to continue leasing the land and be forced to displace the elephants.

A land was provided by Meliá resort which opened in Koh Samui early January this year for a community farm, to help feed the elephants rescued from exploitation activities. The farm is located some 200 metres from the resort on the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui island and can support 200 banana trees and other elephant fodder such as Napier and sweet grass.

“These magnificent animals need to eat 10 percent of their body weight in food daily, which is up to 400 kiligramme per elephant,” said the resort’s general manager, Ernesto Osuna.

He added with the sanctuary trying to survive on only five percent of the funding necessary, its herd has been getting only a fraction of its normal food intake.

In the meantime, to educate guests about the plight of the rescued elephants and encourage them to visit and support the sanctuary, Meliá Koh Samui has unveiled an elephant mascot Coco, to provide information about the Haven, as well as a host for educational activities about the elephants at the resort’s kids club Kidsdom.

The sanctuary which opened in 2018 is a safe harbour for elephants that had been put to work on tourist treks, who has been as show animals and in the logging industry. At the Haven, they are free to roam the 10-hectare sanctuary, to play, forage for native plants and bathe in various pools.

To contact Samui Elephant Haven and make a donation, please visit samuielephanthaven.org, call +66 95 628 6160 or email info@samuielephanthaven.org

Images are by Samui Elephant Haven.

MCB has launched new in-language content in its website, specifically translated for Chinese MICE professionals.  Through the website together with China’s video hosting service YouKu and WeChat, MCB aims to engage with its Chinese clients.

“Whilst they may not be able to travel now, the appeal of Melbourne and Australia to the Chinese planners remains high. These assets, in conjunction with our in-market team and our regular Event Planner webinars will enable the bureau to strengthen existing connections, create new and meaningful relationships, and future business opportunities,” said the bureau’s chief executive officer Julia Swanson.

Chinese speaking decision makers, influencers and planners can also communicate directly with MCB’s local team in Shanghai through WeChat.

China is the top visitor market for MICE groups to Victoria. Over the five years before the covid-19, MCB welcomed 23,000 delegates from Chinese MICE groups to Melbourne –  injecting AUD100 million in economic contributions to the Victorian visitor economy.

The new in-language website and presence on WeChat and YouKu boast the content of the website from information about MCB and its services, local knowledge to support planning a business event in the destination, sample of incentive programmes, case-studies of successful programmes to the latest news on Melbourne’s incentive travel and business events.

Event organisers have to think outside the box to create captivating shows and still follow safety measures during these times of covid-19. Bureau Betak, a special events company for luxury fashion designed instead inside a box of glass maze for models to walk through an arrangement of glass cases shaped, in FENDI’s famous double-F monogram.

FENDI’s digital fashion show of its haute couture collection of spring summer 2021 was streamlined live from Palais Brongniart in Paris on January 27.

Images are by Bureau Betak.

The glass labyrinth of the show were designed to look romantic and mysterious. Despite the usual coldness of glass, the designers created an overall warm atmosphere with beds of wildflowers, small trees and the odd bookcase.

Neon lights line both the runway and the tops of the cases, were illuminated with an all-star cast of models. While reflections on the glass added a dreamy and mystical touch of FENDI’s haute couture spring summer 2021 collection.

It was also a show to mark the artistic director Kim Jones’ debut for FENDI haute couture and to reflect, the English fashion designer’s vision of a romantic and mysterious look.

The Principality’s convention bureau had seen some changes in its management just prior to the pandemic, with Christine Barrabino now heading the bureau and Sarah Rico as the deputy manager. Sandrine Camia, the former head of the bureau, has been made Monaco’s deputy director of Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority.

MICE in Asia had the opportunity to talk to Christine Barrabino, on the reopening of the country to visitors, how it will recover from the covid-19 pandemic, and thrive again as a destination for meetings and conferences.

Christine Barrabino, Head of Monaco Convention Bureau (right)  with Sarah Rico, Deputy Manager (left) of the new management team.

Hopes of recovery for Monaco, according to Ms. Barrabino, will come by the second quarter of 2021.   The rebound on travel will start from the local markets of the Principality, namely France and Italy, since most European and international borders are not opened as yet with travel requirements remaining strict.

All sectors in the Principality have resumed their activities, while restaurants, hotels, conference centres and MICE agencies were very much affected by the travel bans.  However, the real estate sector in Monaco has seen an increase in activity despite the pandemic.

Head of the Monaco Convention Bureau further explained that currently all partners of the bureau, from conference centres and hotels, to destination management companies, are rethinking their business model to incorporate security assurances expected by clients and organisers. The Monegasque Government has implemented, since last July; the Monaco Safe certification for hotels, restaurants, conference centres and all other premises opened to the public in the Principality.

The shift now, stated Ms. Barrabino, is to meet the needs of customers through the quality of value exchanged.  It will require, she mentioned, inventiveness, innovation, and a focus on intellectual assets, flexibility and the optimising of transport and spaces with regard to corporate social responsibility policies. This shift in thinking is also crucial she added, for the success of the global events industry.

Last December, the Monaco Convention Bureau launched its new communication campaign with the slogan #Reevent at the IBTM World’s first virtual event. It invites MICE professionals to return to the Principality and organise events. The campaign displays six visuals related to the themes of: safety, value, service, green, medical and connectivity

Monaco is expected to welcome large events again from April 2021, and the Principality’s MICE agenda is packed in the autumn, due to the postponements of events initially scheduled for 2020.

Ms. Barrabino figures that 2022 should bring back mainly European clients and a return to normal by 2023, when intercontinental flights would have regained a decent level of activity.

Image of the view of Monaco is by VisitMonaco.

Image of Christine Barrabino and Sarah Rico © Government Press Office – Manuel Vitali

 Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has announced today (January 25) that the event, as well as the online in March,  will not take place this year owing to concerns brought about by the covid-19 pandemic. It was scheduled to be hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Event organisers Talk2 Media & Events have shared that: the event faced challenges brought about by international and domestic travel restrictions; despite healthy interest for the event from exhibitors and buyers.

“As the past year has shown, it’s difficult to predict if border closures will be required to slow the spread of future outbreaks.  As difficult as it is to cancel, we cannot in good conscience stage an event that devalues the quality of experience or accessibility of AIME in delivering meaningful interactions for exhibitors and visitors, alongside subsequent appointments with our international networks,” said Matt Pearce, chief executive officer of Talk2 Media & Events.

AIME, with the support from Melbourne Convention Bureau has begun, contacting all buyers and exhibitors to update them on the latest development and assist in managing arrangements of the cancellation of the event.  This includes refunding money to those who have already registered.

AIME’s next event will take place on March 21 to 23, 2022 with full details to follow in the coming months. For those with existing bookings and registrations, a Talk2 Media representative will contact them directly and, for any immediate queries, please email info@talk2.media or visit aime.com.au.

The global association for the attractions industry announced the IAAPA Expo Asia 2021 will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from August 10 to 13. It was originally planned to be held in Macao in June.  The relocation and date change, are in response to the continued impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the growing optimism of increased recovery as the year progresses stated the attractions industry global association.

“IAAPA’s role has always been to help members meet, do business, and learn from each other. It is more important than ever we provide such opportunities in a safe manner, at the right time, in the right location. After careful review and with significant input from our team, members, exhibitors, and the IAAPA Board of Directors, the decision has been made to relocate IAAPA Expo Asia 2021 to Shanghai, China,” shared Hal McEvoy, president and chief executive officer of IAAPA.

Plans are also underway to ensure a smooth transition of the show to SNIEC. This year’s expo will begin with a full conference day on Tuesday, August 10 followed by, three days of programming featuring trade show floor, education programs and exclusive special events.

During IAAPA Expo Asia the show, will follow safety guidelines and operational procedures recommended by global and local health authorities as well as, event industry experts.