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Asia-Pacific #

Edition October 2013

AEG Ogden

Geoff Donaghy Exploring the meetings industry

UIA The Globalisation of Associations

15

Headquarters Asia-Pacific is > Malaysia the Asia-Pacific Magazine for Association Executives.

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> Contents

Singapore, Japan and Korea on top

Colophon HAP or Headquarters Asia-Pacific is a niche publication for local, regional and international associations based in AsiaPacific and dealing with the organisation of worldwide congresses. Published 4 times a year. Circulation: 2,500 copies in 14 different countries.

Subscriptions Subscriptions amount to 85€ (all incl.). The online version of the magazines is available at www.headquartersmagazine.com Editor in Chief Marcel A.M. Vissers T. +32 (0)3 226 88 81 marcel@headquartersmagazine.com Managing Director Cécile Caiati-Koch T. +32 (0)2 761 70 52 cecile@headquartersmagazine.com Account Manager – International Sales Kelvin Lu T. +32 (0)2 761 70 59 kelvin@headquartersmagazine.com Managing Editor Rémi Dévé T. +32 (0)2 761 70 58 remi@headquartersmagazine.com Contributor Katie Lau

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An excellent development in the meetings industry is that fair organisers tend to commission more and more research in order to better understand the behaviour of individual or Marcel A.M. VISSERS groups of delegates. In certain cases, a large group will be a Editor in Chief country or even a whole continent, like China or Asia. Did you know that Asia already accounts for 23.7% of all the international meetings organised around the globe? All this can be found in the Report of the 5th IBTM Global Meetings Industry Research China and Asia, conducted during CIBTM 2013 (www.cibtim.com). And it looks like further growth is not about to stop just yet!

And where will this growth come from? The findings state that ’the top three countries from Asia are taking 23.7% of the world’s total international meetings and Singapore is at number one position with 10% of the world share’. Japan follows with 7.4% and Korea Republic third with 6.3%.

It is quite remarkable that the movement of congress delegates is no longer limited to intra-Asian travel. There is no doubt that Asians are clearly travelling more and more abroad. But where do they travel to? Outside of Asia, the top 10 countries identified by respondents as preferable destinations for events in the next 12 months were the USA, Australia, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, the UAE and Switzerland. Compared to last year, France has overtaken Italy and Switzerland is more popular than it was last year.

I must admit that I do tend to start asking questions when I notice that a research project is purposefully geared at the top players in the market. So what is happening with the smaller Asian nations? I remember being pleasantly surprised when, a few years ago, I came across a superlative stand of the Vietnam MICE Club at an international exhibition. But I don’t see them anymore.

And it was in 2007 that Brunei last participated in IMEX Frankfurt. Also, it’s awfully quiet around countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Lao PDR or even the Philippines. I know that Indonesia has been very busy developing a MICE development program. However, I know little or nothing about the Philippines. Perhaps I have to be more patient or I may even need to start digging for information myself. Who knows? » More stories on www.headquartersmagazine.com

Contents GENERAL Edito 3 News 4 Association Portrait 6

Cécile Caiati-Koch

COVER INTERVIEW Geoff Donaghy, AEG Ogden Rémi Dévé

Kelvin Lu

11

UIA The internationalisation of associations

8

DESTINATIONS New Zealand 5 Australia 13 KLCC, Malaysia 16 Indonesia 19

3

> News

Malaysia courts association events with new initiative Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has launched the Association Development Programme (ADP) to support the development of the country’s associations and encourage the hosting of international conventions. Under the new programme, member associations are entitled to a variety of strategic initiatives such as financial and non-financial bid support and international engagements. A series of association management and conference planning seminars will provide training for association officers. www.myceb.com.my

145 exhibitions and conferences chose HKCEC Latest figures confirm that the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) continues to be the preferred venue of international organisers for staging world-class exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong. During fiscal year 2012-2013, a total of 1,180 events were held at the HKCEC including115 exhibitions and 30 conferences. Conference business remained at previous year’s level. Among 30 conferences, 22 were international and 11 were new to the HKCEC. Those conferences covered a diverse range of topics, from medical science, dentistry, and yoga to spinal care related subjects. www.hkcec.com

Adelaide in great shape The Adelaide Convention Bureau has provided another outstanding return on investment to the state for the financial year 2012/13.

The $1.9m investment made by stakeholders will see over $103m (against a target of $90m), injected into the state as a result of The Adelaide Convention Bureau’s effort toward bidding for and winning the right to have Adelaide host 139 conventions of which 11 (target was 8) are international. The number of bids the Bureau was invited to submit also increased in the past financial year up 3% year on year and 14.6% ahead of target. www.adelaideconvention.com.au

2013 Meetings Industry Fairs IMEX America // 15-17 October 2013, Las Vegas // www.imexamerica.com EIBTM // 19-21 November 2013, Barcelona // www.eibtm.com AIME // 18-19 February 2014, Melbourne // www.aime.com.au GIBTM // 24-26 March 2014, Abu Dhabi // www.gibtm.com IMEX // 20-22 May 2014, Frankfurt // www.imex-frankfurt.com HKCEC

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> New Zealand

Adventurous conferences In New Zealand Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke Island

New Zealand’s mix of breathtaking natural landscapes, world-class venues and unique visitor experiences makes it an ideal location for business events beyond convention.

New Zealand could well be the place for adventure, rejuvenation and inspiration.

And because it is compact and easy to get around, you can experience a whole lot in one trip. Flights between New Zealand’s cities are short and stunning mountains, rivers, beaches and forests are seldom far away by car.

Wherever you go in New Zealand you will find dramatic natural landscapes and intriguing wildlife. The country’s towering mountains, dense forests, and golden beaches make it a haven for outdoor activities, while its multicultural population has created the perfect melting pot for great cultural experiences.

New Zealanders take pride in their reputation for friendliness and have wholeheartedly embraced the Māori concept of manaakitanga - the act of giving and making people feel welcome. Loosely translated as hospitality, manaakitanga plays a key role in Māori society and inspires the New Zealand visitor experience.

Major centres The major centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch regularly host international conferences and national events.

The largest of the three is Auckland, known for its sparkling harbour, designer

shopping and proximity to some of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches.

This sophisticated, multicultural city offers something for everyone, from jet boating and yachting on the harbour to sipping wine at a vineyard on nearby Waiheke Island.

The capital city of Wellington is the country’s cultural and political hub. Nestled between a stunning harbour and forestclad hills and famed for coffee and craft beer, it’s easy to see why Lonely Planet dubbed the city the coolest little capital in the world.

New Zealand could well be the place for adventure, rejuvenation and inspiration The garden city of Christchurch in the South Island is situated between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean. Christchurch has bounced back from a major earthquake in 2011 to emerge as a city reimagined, complete with lively street art and innovative new designs like the “pop-up” Cardboard Cathedral and the quirky Re:Start shopping mall, built from brightly coloured shipping containers.

Cruise on the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland

Plenty to see There are plenty of other places to hold business events around the rest of the country as well. Visitors can enjoy the inspiring scenery, skiing and fine lakeside dining on offer in the four season resort town of Queenstown, while the cultural mecca of Rotorua, built amidst a geothermal landscape of steaming geysers and boiling mud pools, is one of the best places in the country to experience New Zealand’s Māori culture. Both cities are popular choices for major events. Rotorua recently won a bid to host the 2014 Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference and the annual Queenstown Winter Festival is now the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

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> Association portrait

Federation of China Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce (FCTACC) A talk with with Liu Youqian As the CEO of Federation of China Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce (FCTACC), Liu Youqian is widely respected for his expertise and insights on the development of domestic associations in China, where the central government still plays a pivotal role in modernising associations and slowly bringing them to international recognition.

© TTG Asia

Li Youqian

Having worked in the meetings and exhibitions industry since the early 1990s and specialised in community organisations and industry associations, Liu has conducted research on China’s MICE industry and edited books on national vocational education and conference marketing. Here Liu shares his thoughts with Katie Lau about the ever-changing environment of Chinese associations and the plans to branch out.

HQ: How does your association operate?

Liu Youqian: We are a member organisation specialising in providing legal surveys and policy analysis based on empirical research in trade and industry associations, usually commissioned by various departments from the central government. We also collaborate with other organisations and provide training and consultation on how to manage and run associations. Keeping a close eye on 6

international and domestic economic developments, we also organise meetings and conferences on an occasional basis to analyse the economic trends for senior members who hold management positions such as president and secretary-general. We work on a commission basis with government bodies and other associations for which we organise training, conferences and exchange activities to improve their management skills.

HQ: What kind of events does your association organise? What kind of destinations do you choose?

Liu Youqian: Apart from holding conferences on macroeconomic analysis, legal seminars, and consultation conferences for industry associations that are affected by changes in government functions, we also organise professional training for secretarygenerals of industry associations in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

The choice of destinations depends on the nature of the event. Take the occasional economic analysis conferences for example, we tend to pick the China’s capital Beijing because the events involve government officials, academics and experts. However, for conferences on thematic surveys and analysis (on topics such as legislation) we tend to choose Guangdong or Zhejiang where industry associations are more reformed and maturely developed.

HQ: What is the destination selection process like?

Liu Youqian: In general, we organise some activities with the organisations to find out about the themes of the event as well as the concerns and needs of our partner organisations before making the decision.

HQ: How has the Chinese government affected the development and direction of your association and the association market in China?

Liu Youqian: The Chinese government is highly supportive of the development of Chinese associations. This fact is reflected by the growing number of Chinese associations, which had reached more than 100,000 by the end of 2012. However, the government has always implemented a double management system when it comes to running associations and organisations of all sorts: the management unit has to be supervised by the authorities in charge of registration, which no doubt puts a damper on the development of associations. With this in mind, the current government is set to roll out a series of reforms to minimize the influence from the government’s executive authorities on an association’s management and operation. This is incredibly good news for us because from now on, associations will be developed according to market forces and principles.

> Association portrait

HQ: How are Chinese associations different from those in the West?

Liu Youqian: They differ mainly in two areas: management structure and legal framework.

Chinese associations are obliged to set up a business management unit, a prerequisite for their registration to be successfully approved by the government authorities. It implies that establishing an association in China is not only more difficult, but also in the process the association has become a kind of de-facto government organisation in itself. In terms of legal framework, the Chinese government is yet to create a set of laws and regulations especially for governing associations, recognising their legal status and monitoring their activities and behaviour. It’s quite different compared to other countries.

HQ: As a CEO, what challenges do you face?

Liu Youqian: As we are a member organisation that provides research and consultation services, I feel that the biggest challenge that Chinese associations face is the underdeveloped legal system coupled with the lack of complementary measures. The lack of a time frame for professionalisation and the shortage of professionals needed to run an association effectively also add to the problem. I feel very strongly about this because I have been an association specialist since 2000. I co-founded FTCACC in 2004, intended as a platform for industry and trade associations to exchange their ideas. Since

then we have achieved quite a lot, including consulting with international associations on legislation for FCTACC. In 2008, we helped persuade the government to establish a legal organisation devoted to providing support for the development of associations featuring a professional team consisting of government officials, academics and experts.

The Chinese government is highly supportive of the development of Chinese associations. This fact is reflected by the growing number of Chinese associations

Guangdong

HQ: What are the future plans of your association?

Liu Youqian: We hope to set up a well-developed association network that encourages the all-round development of industry and trade associations. We also hope that we’ll be capable of creating one or several internationally renowned brand-oriented campaigns that will serve as an excellent intellectual foundation for the development of our association and also more exchange and co-operation with international organisations such as The International Chamber of Commerce. http://english.chinaassn.com/ (Eng) http://www.chinaassn.com/ (Chi)

Beijing

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The Globalisation of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) Never say I don’t know buzzwords. Well, I don’t know many, but globalisation is a hot one right now in the American Library Association (ALA) and in the association world in general. Not to be left out, I am devoting this article to globalisation, or at least becoming more tuned in to the international market. Plus, I just went to a workshop on global growth, so I have some interesting tidbits to share.

Text Charles Wilt, ALCTS Executive Director The workshop was presented by Terrance Barkan, who has worked both as a CEO of international associations and CEO of his own association management company in Europe. He is now a consultant specialising in globalisation for associations.

Globalisation in association management has been getting a lot of press during the past couple of years. The general tone is that associations should be expanding their missions to include an international market.

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There are, however, some caveats. It is important for an association to consider a number of questions before moving forward.

For me, the two most important questions raised were: ‘Should you be international?’ and ‘How will you measure success?’ There is a good deal of evidence that the first thing associations think about is promoting membership, which is not the best way to proceed. The issues with ‘leading with membership’ are myriad: how do you

provide service to those members? Why should someone want to join your association in the first place? Another key to moving into the international market is a realistic understanding of the market. The lucrative market you envision may not be, either because you have nothing or little to offer that market, or else the competition is already stiff. Asking the question ‘should you be international?’ should address those issues.

> UIA

What’s the Union of International Associations (UIA)?

A few more points also stood out. Social media can be used to reach markets that are particularly hard to reach otherwise.

LinkedIn, the example used, has nearly 200 million users, about half of which reside outside North America. Developing a globalisation strategy is important. Having a

mind that countries like Belgium or the Netherlands might be potentially more important markets for us, even though they are smaller in population.

As Barkan notes, ‘emerging markets are much more than just Brazil, Russia, India,

One key to moving into the international market is a realistic understanding of the market. The lucrative market you envision may not be group that is devoted to being international is worthwhile because, along with the strategy, this priority helps to provide focus for the association.

Now back to the market question, and how it relates to ALCTS. According to Barkan’s research, the top challenges to reaching any global market are: • defining appropriate business models, • accurately estimating the market’s potential, • identifying partners (if that’s the way you want to go), • language, and • culture.

He also points out that internationally, associations tend toward trade groups and federations rather than professional associations, which is more or less where ALA falls. We already have the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).

I also mentioned that the supposedly lucrative market might not be all that lucrative after all. China and India are touted as the next big thing in global association expansion. It’s true they have huge populations, but do those populations really line up with the products and services of the association? In our case, maybe, maybe not. The other issue is existing competition in these markets. It’s important for us to keep in

China, and South Africa (BRICS).’ He breaks down emerging markets into advanced and secondary. Advanced include the likes of Brazil, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey. You can see that Eastern Europe is well represented. Malaysia and Turkey may be surprises. Of course, these do not necessarily translate into opportunities for us, but they might. Secondary markets include Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, and the UAE. In terms of our own reach, we have had continuing education attendees from forty-seven countries, from Australia to Zimbabwe. We do much better in the secondary emerging markets with attendees from Chile, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, and the UAE. We have had only attendees from South Africa in the advanced group.

We have an enormous opportunity for our own expansion into these areas. ALCTS international members make up only 2.5% of our personal membership, but international organization members make up 25% of our organisational membership. It seems clear that marketing not to individuals, but to organisations will give us our best return.

Figuring how to do that is always the trick.

The Union of International Associations - UIA - is a non-profit, independent, apolitical, and non-governmental institution in the service of international associations.

Since its foundation in 1907, the UIA is a leading provider of information about international non-profit organisations and a premium networking platform between international organisations and the meeting industry worldwide.

Main activities: •

Yearbook of International Organisations - contains information on over 64,000 international organisations active in all fields of human endeavour, in all corners of the world, and over centuries of history. Available online and in book form.

•

International Congress Calendar with information on over 350,000 international meetings. Available online, in pdf, and on paper.

•

Annual Associations Round Table - features both open-space / networking and discussion oriented sessions as well as practical skills training sessions for associations.

See www.uia.be/roundtable

Who can use the UIA’s research and networking platform? Everyone with an interest in international associations and cooperation: international associations, the businesses which provide services to them, media and press, research centres, universities, libraries, government offices. Associate Members have quick access to first quality material to benefit their business. To join, see http://www.uia.be/associate-members.

For more information, please contact uia@uia.org

This article can be found at www.ala.org. All rights reserved. © 1996-2013 American Library Association.

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> Cover interview

A conversation with

Geoff Donaghy Geoff Donaghy is Group Director Convention Centres for Asia Pacific management specialists, AEG Ogden, who operate eighteen venues including convention facilities in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island and the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre and International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, both under construction. As a man of experience and expertise, he shares here his insights on our everchanging industry.

HQ: Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Although a lot of people know you in the industry, not everybody does…

Geoff Donaghy: I’ve been involved in the meetings industry for quite some time now! Today I work as the Group Director Convention Centres for AEG Ogden. I have also been involved with joint venture partner, US based AEG, in their successful tenders for private management of the Los Angles and Hawaii convention centres. Originally a school teacher with experience in the airline and hotel industries I headed the Cairns region’s tourism and convention bureau for five years.

In 1996, I managed the opening of the Cairns Convention Centre which was acknowledged as the ‘World’s Best Congress Centre’ in AIPC’s 2004 APEX Awards. As CEO I oversaw the 2003 redevelopment of the 52,000 seat Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Both venues are operated by AEG Ogden.

In July this year I was named President of the Brussels based International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) and am their representative on the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC). I served five years as Chairman of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), the country’s convention and exhibition organisation, where we steered greater government recognition for the industry and development of its first national strategy. I have been a member of several industry and Government boards including Queensland’s tourism and event

corporations and was an inaugural director, then Chairman, of North Queensland’s world heritage rainforest management authority.

HQ: Can you give us your views on the situation of Australian-based associations? What’s the market like? How has it changed over the years according to you?

Geoff Donaghy: Australia remained reasonably unscathed from the worst impacts of the global financial crisis and national association and corporate business remained relatively steady. But of course with international conventions being an important segment for all our major cities and centres we have continued to monitor evolving economic conditions in key source markets of Europe and North America very closely.

1) Australian association members have played a strong role with, and made strong contributions to their respective world bodies. This has been across many fields and disciplines but our own industry is just one example of that, with two Aussies, Pieter van der Hoeven and Leigh Harry having headed up ICCA, and my recent election as AIPC president.

2) Australian associations reach out strongly to their Asian colleagues and counterparts through membership and attendance and involvement in each other conferences.

The development and growth of regional events, ie Asia Pacific conferences, to parallel and augment the international versions has also been a noticeable trend.

Our brand strategy determines that we strive for quality venues in quality destinations and not driven by growth or numbers for their own sake Major government meetings remain an important part of the mix and our Brisbane centre is hosting G20 next year and our Cairns centre the location for the associated G20 Finance Ministers event.

HQ: What is the impact of this in the Asia Pacific region?

Geoff Donaghy: Economic growth and conditions over the past few years across Asia generally have also been very strong.

Australia is a considerable distance from the ‘old world’ markets of America and Europe where the majority of global associations have traditionally had their headquarters.

However there have been two features of Australian associations over the recent decade or so:

Key Asian countries and cities are not only very high quality and successful destinations but are also increasingly becoming import source markets for events and delegates as regional professional associations and their Asian memberships develop even further.

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> Cover interview

HQ: AEG Ogden is an Asia Pacific congress management company operating eighteen congress venues in total, ten of which are convention and exhibition centres. Can you tell us about your role there and the future projects?

Geoff Donaghy: With so many cities not just developing major centres or expanding or refurbishing existing facilities but also examining the benefits of private outsourcing of management of these very important pieces of social infrastructure there is no shortage of opportunities for a specialist company such as ours.

However we have very strict criteria which determine those venues or cities we wish to become involved with. Not the least of which being a very clear indication as to where we can add appreciable value for the owner and host community and where there is the best chance to form long and mutually beneficial relationships.

defined global membership and with the regular communication we undertake with our members, both formal and informal, the board and management have a very clear vision of where AIPC will go over the coming few years.

This will involve focus on further advancing the important role convention centres play in economic, academic and professional development and increasing AIPC’s advocacy role for our sector . We will also be expanding our education, research and networking program to better equip our members to meet the challenges we face together as venue managers.

As I have only very recently been elected as President announcing major changes and initiatives at this point may just be a little premature. However we have undertaken a major survey of member’s expectations and requirements and the directors and management are analysing this in detail and developing our strategy options which will be addressed in detail at our next board meeting at EIBTM in November. What is clear though is that there is a high level of membership satisfaction and a strong desire to see the association continue with, and expand on, our two key priorities of advocacy and professional development. www.aegogden.com

Our brand strategy determines that we strive for quality venues in quality destinations and not driven by growth or numbers for their own sake.

So our development focus is not just on emerging destinations but also mature locations such as Los Angeles and Hawaii where AEG has recently won tenders to take over management of their existing venues, and Sydney where we will operate the AUD1B International Convention Centre due for completion by December 2016.

Los Angeles

What is the benefit for association clients to book with a AEG Ogden operated centre?

Geoff Donaghy: Each of our venues has established itself as world class and recognized globally for their service standards and total customer focus. This gives clients a very high degree of confidence that any event they choose an AEG Ogden venue for will be successful and risk free.

HQ: You just have been nominated President of AIPC. Can you tell us about your vision and strategic plans for this worldwide congress venues association?

Geoff Donaghy: The association is in a very sound position with a stable and well Honolulu, Hawaii

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© Tourism Australia

> Australia

Why there’s nothing like

Australia

Boosted by a steady stream of global conferences and events, Australia’s association market is thriving, with delegates revelling in the opportunity to travel down under for a trip to remember.

As a destination renowned for its natural habitats, open and friendly culture and unique experiences, it is perhaps not surprising that when more than 20,000 people from 20 countries were asked in the 2010 Anholt Nation Brands Index which country they would like to visit, Australia was the most common answer.

However, it is Australia’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for business events that is drawing a growing amount of interest from international visitors. In fact, Australia is an extremely popular destination within the APAC region, with Asia now responsible for 42% of over all business events spend in Australia.

Australia’s popularity as a destination for association events and conferences can be attributed to three key factors: 1. The experience - Australia offers a vast range of experiences for event

groups in truly spectacular and diverse surroundings; 2. The infrastructure - Australia is abundant with world-class hospitality opportunities and conference facilities; 3. The knowledge - Australia’s knowledgebased economy harbours innovative industries with respected leaders in just about every field imaginable.

The experience As the world’s sixth largest country, Australia offers a vast range of experiences for event groups. Whether it is discovering ancient tropical rainforests in Queensland, learning about Aboriginal culture in the Outback of the Northern Territory, or sailing on the iconic Sydney Harbour in New South Wales, Australia offers locations and experiences to inspire and invigorate.

With so much to choose from, building an itinerary that captures as many of these experiences as possible for typically time

Sydney

poor delegates can be a challenge. Australia has something for everyone and is able to cater to associations events and conferences of all sizes. All of the States and Territories offer world-class venues and experiences, so delegates can achieve an incredible amount in even a short amount of time.

Sarah Markey-Hamm, CEO of ICMS (International Convention Management Services) reiterates this sentiment, but advises that for best results it is critical to work with local event providers. ‘There is no substitute for local knowledge when it comes to delivering an event experience that will engage delegates and also enhance your association’s reputation.

Local event management suppliers will have superior relationships with vendors, which is extremely helpful when it comes to creating tailored experiences, and ensures better value for money for your Association and your delegates,’ she says.

‘And speaking of value for money, it is also worth remembering that working with local associations and engaging local event and professional conference services providers can be tax efficient,’ she adds.

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> Australia

The infrastructure The ongoing investment in business events infrastructure and has cemented Australia’s reputation in the region and beyond as a destination that caters for delegates with exceptional facilities. Some of the new and exciting projects that have been announced in recent months include:

the natural beauty of its landscape with function rooms overlooking the River Torrens • $59 million Royal International Convention Centre, the second convention centre for Brisbane • Perth’s Convention Centre plenary hall upgrade with seating of up to for 12,500

It is Australia’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for business events that is drawing a growing amount of interest from international visitors • The redevelopment of the Sydney International Convention Centre • A A$150 million dollar upgrade to Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse • $100 million event centre at The Star, Sydney featuring state-of-the-art technology and is located on the rooftop of The Star above 20 signature restaurants, bars, designer shopping and spa • $350 million expansion of the Adelaide Convention Centre designs to accentuate

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Adrienne Readings, general manager of Australia’s largest regional convention centre the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, recommends selecting state of the art convention facilities within close proximity to reliable and modern infrastructure if you want to ensure a successful delegate event experience.

‘The Gold Coast is very appealing as a destination, and is clearly famous for a myriad of

leisure options offering added-value post business events,’ she says. ‘But it is the Gold Coast’s abundance of accommodation that suits all budgets, close proximity to two international airports, accessibility to low-cost airline carriers and the ability to bring the family along that really makes for a perfect recipe for delegates.’

The knowledge Australia is proud of its innovation heritage, and that ethos is alive and well today. Commonly referred to locally as the ‘knowledge-based economy’, Australia has been quick to capitalise on this momentum to broaden its appeal for associated conferences and events. For example, Australia has attracted some of the world’s most significant global medical and scientific association events, such as the 34th International Conference on High Energy Physics in 2012, the International Congress of Pediatrics 2013, the 22nd World Diabetes Congress 2013, the Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress 2014 and the International AIDS Conference 2014.

> Australia

More news from Melbourne

The Royal Melbourne Golf Course, Melbourne © Tourism Australia

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) recently re-launched its world leading Club Melbourne Ambassador Program to create an even stronger, more focused and more supportive network for associations looking to secure and host international conferences in Melbourne.

Since it was first started 8 years ago, the Club Melbourne Ambassador Program has helped to attract more than 70 international conferences, showcasing expertise in fields such as science, medicine and technology to the world and creating new global alliances and opportunities.

© The Royal Melbourne Golf Course

Crown Entertainment Complex, Melbourne

www.businesseventsaustralia.com

Crown Entertainment Complex Worth more than AUD $90 million, Crown’s newest destination, The West End, is now operational. The 15,000 square metres of the Clarendon Street end of the Crown Entertainment Complex is complete with two new restaurants, The Merrywell and Cotta, and two new bars, Lumia and The Common Room. The stylish new zone offers visitors premium and casual gaming, live entertainment and sports streaming from around the globe, perfect for down time during a conference.

Melbourne Short Stay Apartments Melbourne Short Stay Apartments has recently unveiled a collection of deluxe category self-contained apartments, MP Deluxe, in an exciting new Southbank location, just metres from the Crown Entertainment Complex. Located in a brand new, 43-level residential tower, MP Deluxe is home to self-rated 4.5 star apartments, with floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views.

MCEC’s Chief Executive Peter King explains how Club Melbourne provides a unique opportunity to connect prominent thinkers and leaders from around the world.

‘Through our Ambassadors’ hard work, MCEC regularly hosts some of the largest and prestigious conferences in the world. These events connect world thought leaders and share knowledge, creating memorable experiences for our visitors and a lasting legacy for the community,’ he says.

Gold Coast, Queensland © Tourism Australia

Whatever an association’s ultimate objectives are in bringing its members together to meet; whether it is to inform, engage or inspire, the location will play a critical role in the relative success of the event. By planning the event in Australia, it is easy to utilise the abundant world-class experiences, infrastructure and knowledge, which will drive delegate registrations and enhance the reputation of the association.

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) facilitates the delivery of high quality events in Melbourne and regional Victoria. MCB’s 260+ members are constantly updating their products and services to ensure every business event held in the state is met with innovation, diligence and professionalism.

Recent MCB member developments include:

Melbourne, Yarra River

Mercure Portsea Resort & Golf Club Located just one hour and a half south of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, the new build Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort is now open. With panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay, the fully integrated multimillion dollar development incorporates 25 accommodation rooms, a comprehensive function complex that holds between 10 - 150 guests, and a new golf club house on one of Australia’s top 50 golf courses. www.melbournecb.com.au

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> Malaysia

Chaine des Rotisseurs 2013

Black Sevruga Caviar on Black Atlantic Cod

IKA Culinary Olympics 2012

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre innovates with its culinaria campaign Giving credence to its growing reputation for creative culinary solutions, the eight-year old Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) has taken the adventurous step of branding its food & beverage (F&B) offerings Culinaria, to both define and differentiate its culinary services from the competition.

taking an unconventional approach to one’s meetings. And the Centre is ready to lend a helping hand with its TenOnCall Beanie Experience (TOC Beanie Experience).

Lue explained that Culinaria will be the perfect platform to showcase the talents of the Centre’s Culinary team, ‘in particular our chefs’ versatility in crafting creative menus that capture the exquisite taste of food enthusiasts.’

This was evidenced at the recent Chaîne des Rôtisseurs dinner where food and wine connoisseurs toasted to an evening of fine dining and epicurean adventure by the Centre’s Executive Chef, Richmond Lim and his seven head chefs, who showed off their culinary flair to their guests.

Perfect for training, brainstorming and teambuilding sessions, meeting chairs are substituted with colourful bean bags and set out in the client’s chosen configuration for a more informal and relaxed meeting ambience. What’s more, the TOC Beanie Experience comes with value-adds such as a takeaway latte, cappuccino, coffee or tea, and complimentary Bean-ovation treats like titbits, energy booster drinks and energy bars, comfy slippers and stress balls.

‘Culinaria embodies our innovative mindset when it comes to dining, to accentuate beyond standard convention centre fare and presentation to encompass the promise of value, taste and experience,’ explains Angeline Lue, the Centre’s Director of Sales & Marketing. ‘Culinaria expands the unique selling points of Malaysia; from its colourful multi-cultural mix to progressive nation realities and, the Centre’s tagline of ‘Where commerce, culture, colour converge’.’

The new brand name is also a reflection of the Centre’s award-winning F&B track record which to date includes a host of accolades garnered at local, regional and international culinary shows; ‘Dato Lau Foo Sun Excellence in Dining Award’ from the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Malaysia Chapter, a Silver at the 23rd IKA World Culinary Olympics 2012 and Executive Chef Richmond Lim’s The Stainless Steel Kitchen which was awarded the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2012’s ‘Best Book in the World for Food Professionals’.

Under Culinaria, the Centre offers a range of exciting dining experiences, from state-of-the-art banqueting and quarterly cuisine promotions to enhanced themed and special dietary menus, as well as more healthy options for its Day Conference Packages (DCPs) and at its public catering outlets, Park View Deck and West Wing Café.

The Beanie Experience What better way for clients to get their participants’ creative juices flowing than

This is on top of the standard TenOnCall (TOC) package of free-flow lifestyle beverage and cuisine, audio-visual and presentation equipment, standby technician and e-signage. The Centre’s TOC service offers clients the flexibility of organising meetings at very short notice in 10 flexible meeting spaces designed for 15 up to 150 persons.

For more information on Culinaria, TOC Beanie Experience and other meeting packages and offerings, visit www.klccconventioncentre.com.

17

> Indonesia

Manado

Makassar

Jakarta Semarang Surabaya

Bogor Bandung Yogyakarta Solo

Mataram

Indonesia

A congress lure to the world The advantage of being new is that it makes people curious. The trend for all industries is to try new things and to be modern.

New destinations want to arouse the interest of potential customers. But what’s the best way to do that? You need a lot more than just the hype and cheering hurray. In the global MICE industry, Indonesia is a wonderful example of a destination that wants to grow through creativity.

Report Marcel A.M. Vissers Is Bali the only well-known destination in Indonesia? Is Jakarta a booming city? There are many other destinations besides these locations that are worthwhile considering for organising a congress. HQ magazine has taken a peek into the changes which are occurring in the land of 17,000 islands.

Jakarta, an Asian tiger Capitals can really give a tremendous boost to a country. Jakarta, the immense capital of Indonesia, is an excellent example of this.

The metropolis has 30 million inhabitants witnessing major economic progress. Within this climate of growth, MICE is receiving considerable attention from decision-makers in the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. And it’s not just Bali that’s benefiting: 14 other destinations in Indonesia will be put on the map in the future.

Indonesia is an enormous country with more than 17,000 islands of which about a thousand are uninhabited. It’s said that

you would need fifty years to get to know Indonesia with its different languages and cultures. The Canadian composer Colin McPhee has a very good description of the spirit of Indonesia. In his book A House in Bali, he wrote that there’s a sound that you hear everywhere: the sound of the gamelan.

And that music, storytelling, dancing, historic buildings, religion, costumes, make up, food and smiles are omnipresent.

some 4,000 hectares of agricultural land every year and the city centre welcomes 140,000 newcomers on an annual basis.

And let’s be honest: the traffic situation is a nightmare for a conference organiser. The streets of Jakarta have to absorb fourteen million vehicles every day. They don’t have an underground system or any form of adequate public transportation. But the pain of traffic congestion can be soothed

Indonesia is an enormous country with more than 17,000 islands of which about a thousand are uninhabited. It’s said that you would need fifty years to get to know Indonesia with its different languages and cultures The country’s colonial past has also left its mark on everyday life. Nostalgia is never far away in Indonesia, but if you look around you’ll see major changes taking place.

Jakarta for example is evolving at a staggering pace. The Indonesian capital claims

by police escorts for coaches that take delegates from one location to another in a relatively efficient way. Jakarta is also mad about social media and this increases consumption and has resulted in major economic growth.

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> Indonesia

Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre (BNDCC)

Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Center

Meetings in Jakarta & Bali The Jakarta Convention and Exhibition Bureau is putting a lot of effort into maximising MICE-related business in the capital.

Jakarta has five convention centres. The Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Center (www.jcc.co.id) is the most well-known. In order for Jakarta to be a big player on the international scene, the city has decided to build a brand-new convention centre: opening in January 2016, the Jakarta International Exhibition and Congress Centre will be located on the outskirts of the city, not far from the international airport (www.jiexpo.com). It has been designed by famous American architect Larry Oltmanns.

A lot of meetings are also held in hotels. More than 50 world-class venues offer facilities in their ballrooms and meeting rooms. A dinner in Jakarta is always a feast and always reminiscent of the past. You’ll find excellent dining for groups in the Dapur Babah Elite restaurant.

This restaurant claims to be Jakarta’s hippest dining scene. Also Bunga Rampai restaurant has a refined colonial setting and serves more than just fine food.

Bali also boasts an impressive range of international meeting venues and hotels, and has two famous purpose-built convention centres: Bali International Convention Centre and Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre. Jakarta is famous for its heritage: the Unesco Site of Borubudur Temple and the Prambanan Temples. Jakarta is also called 20

the Oxford of Indonesia due to a number of universities in the city and we should not forget the Conventions Halls such as Jakarta Convention Centre and Jakarta International Expo.

Worth considering Batam is less popular but has developed into one of Indonesia’s lucrative industrial, trade and commercial zones. Batam is also known as the Island of Resorts. Medan is the modern, planned capital of North Sumatra.

It’s a city with abundant architecture and a pleasant venue for meetings. It’s promoting its reputation as a business destination extensively in order to increase MICE arrivals.

Two 5-star hotels opened there in 2009: the Marriott and the Grand Swiss Belhotel.

Surabaya is the capital of East Java and an important port and multicultural city. It’s said that Surabaya is Indonesia in a nutshell. This second largest city in Indonesia is known for Indonesia’s heavy industries. The Grand City Convention Centre opened in 2010 offers space for 15,000 persons in theatre style.

There is also Yogyakarta and Solo (more on them pages 39 and 40), while two important MICE cities are located on the island Sulawesi. First, the capital of South Sulawesi, Mataram, with its brand new airport, Hasanuddin. The Word Ocean Conference was held here in 2008. Secondly, Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province and is located in the Bay of Manado, surrounded by a mountainous area.

The creative economy of Indonesia I believe there’s only one country in the world that uses the term ‘creative economy’. In Indonesia, the MICE industry is also referred to in this respect. And that’s good news for a country that wants to put MICE in the spotlight. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is active in the development of MICE products, more than ever before. The government has identified 14 priority destinations to be developed in the future. And there is more. The Ministry has granted 25% more to spend on its MICE promotions between now and the next financial year.

The Ministry will also share intelligence such as Indonesian economic indicators and developments planned for airports, MICE venues and hotels. Indonesia is starting to develop eight new MICE destinations: Batam, Medan, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Solo, Mataram, Makassar and Manado.

Sapta Nirwandar, Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy

> Indonesia

Prambanan Temple, Jogiakarta

Palace of Yogyakarta, known as the Keraton

Borobudur

Java, Lombok and Bali

Definitely on the meetings map In Indonesian, the island Java is called Jawa while Jakarta is referred to as Ibu Kota, or Mother City. The large sister island Sumatra lies in the west and the pearl islands Bali and Lombok are in the east. Bogor and Bandung are cities with major potential for congresses and conferences, and we mustn’t forget the special region called Jogjakarta where a sultan still lives. The other city of the sultan, Solo, and the city on the coast, Semerang, are also worth visiting.

It’s highly recommended to travel by train from Jakarta to Bandung, and make a stop in Bogor to visit its lush Botanical Garden.

Travelling by train in Indonesia is a unique experience, very comfortable and providing direct contact with the local population.

Most people are not aware that Bandung is well-known for a conference held there in 1955. The Bandung conference brought together 29 countries from Africa and Asia, and the main theme was ‘Underdevelopment and Decolonisation’ – an historic milestone. However, Bandung

is not a city with a lot to see. The culture and music centre, Angklung Mang Udjo, is the big exception. It was the musician Udjo Ngalagena who made a musical instrument called the Angklung, which is fabricated with bamboo, so popular. Attending one of the performances guarantees to be a splendid evening with a programme full of emotions and special sounds. It’s a must for every congress delegate.

The Sultan of Yogyakarta and Borobudur Yogyakarta, Yogya for friends, has the reputation of being the refrigerator of Javanese culture. This culture (including batik, dance, music and wayang performances) is still controlled and promoted by the sultan and his court. And being engrossed in a local culture is the kind of thing that world travellers (i.e. congress delegates) always appreciate. Here lies a great opportunity for the creative MICE economy of Indonesia: to develop a concept based on open-air conferences in the palaces of the sultans.

It doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

The Mangkunegaran Palace in Solo is also suited for this idea.

To visit the Borobudur is on every congress delegate’s wish list. The Borobudur is the largest Buddhist construction in the world and it’s located in the hills. It can be combined with a visit to the Prambanan temple, an impressive Hindu building. My advice is never to let an opportunity to attend a conference in Yogykarta pass you by. It’s a genuine experience in life.

Conference facilities in Bandug and Yogya Yogjakarta boasts a large conference and exhi­ bition centre. The Yogja Expo Centre has flexible rooms which can accommodate from 100 to 10,000 people (www.jogjaexpocenter.com).

In Bandung, you’ll be in awe when you step into the luxurious Trans Hotel. It’s called the pride of Indonesia. The hotel is located in a large Studio complex and has its own Trans Convention Centre (accommodating up to 6,000 delegates).

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> Indonesia

Lombok is not Bali Did you know that Charlie Chaplin was an admirer of Bali? And that many followed his footsteps? In fact, one of the 17,000 islands succeeded in attracting the attention of the entire world for a long time. That’s quite an achievement in itself. Now many of us ask for how much longer, and wonder what Bali was like before it became fouled by tourism?

You can find the answer to this question if you read books about Bali by writers and artists who lived there. Bali is praised for its joie de vivre and spirituality. Many believe that the island Lombok, which is located nearby, should become part of the Bali success story.

Quite a challenge. Lombok is gifted by nature, and it’s an island with sumptuous green space, a coastline full of hairpin bends, and the big volcano Gunung Rinjani (3726 m).

Lombok also shares the success of the three Gili islands which are situated between Lombok and Bali, a paradise for divers. But the scent of success is often followed by the domination of tourism and the smothering of a locality’s soul. Lombok also has more animals. It’s said that Bali if for fun and Lombok for rest. But don’t forget that Lombok could turn into a charming conference island with a focus on ‘relaxed meetings’. The place to be is Senggigi where Santosa Villas & Resort is located, a conference hotel with the ambition to become one of the leading hotels in Indonesia in

Balinese cooking class Eating in Indonesia is a combination of art and magic, with fresh herbs, spices and local vegetables. In Kuta, you’ll find the Anika Guest House where excellent cooking classes are organised in an attractive Indonesian setting. The fact that you can cook satay and grilled fish and curries with black rice pudding dessert makes a great story when you arrive back home. The morning and evening classes are organised for groups of up to 20 participants. A good address: www.cookingclass.anikaguesthouse.com

2020. This is a four-star hotel with 194 rooms but you can also call it a beachfront resort with 10 elegant and functional meeting rooms (www.santosalombok.com).

The secret of Bali We already mentioned Charlie Chaplin’s love of Bali. He actually made a very striking remark about the island. Fascinated to learn that the natives worked only a few months in the rice fields, devoting the rest of their time to culture, he wrote: ‘From these people one gleans the true meaning of life - to work and play - play being as important as work to man’s existence. That is why they are happy.’ And laughing children appeared everywhere he went. That’s also an aspect that world travellers appreciate: contact with happy children.

Here lies the secret of Bali: its inhabitants elevate everyday life to a spiritual feast.

If this kind of mood is absorbed during a congress, it remains in a delegate’s memory for ages. Holding congresses in Bali is a tradition. It’s always a good idea to check the congress calendar of a country to see what kind of organisations are meeting there and what they say about the location on their website. In October, for example, the 13th APFCB congress will be held in Bali (Asia-Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine; 16 countries; 1000 participants). Which venue did they choose? They selected the Bali Convention Centre (www.baliconvention.com), which was built more than 20 years ago and is connected to the Westin Hotel (334 rooms). The APFCB obviously wanted to grasp Balinese cultures, and the Bali Convention Centre will help to do so.

Worth mentioning is also the BNDCC (Bali Nusa Dua Convention Centre), a world-class facility with 20 breakout rooms and a plenary space for 2,000 delegates. Adjacent is a 5-star hotel with 100 rooms. IESCO, the International Ecological Safety Cooperative Organization, held a very successful event in 2012: the 2nd World Ecological Safety Assembly. It’s a very chic venue.

More information on Indonesia at www.indonesia.travel

Rice workers, Lombok Island

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