HEADQUARTERS A S I A- PAC I F I C
the Asia-Pacific Magazine for Association Executives Supported by UIA, Union of International Associations, Brussels
07
Headquarters Magazines Meetings Industry Publishers (Singapore) Published 4 times a year Edition October 2011
RISING TAIWAN A CONVERSATION
WITH CYNTHIA KIANG
ALSO RESPONSIBLE EVENTS DESTINATION UPDATES
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HQ IN 2011 HQ EMEA HEADQUARTERS
HAP HEADQUARTERS
HQ EMEA stands for Headquarters Europe Middle East Africa, the magazine for EMEA-based associations. HAP stands for Headquarters Asia-Pacific, the magazine for Asia-Pacific-based associations.
PROFILE HQ EMEA
PROFILE HAP
Distribution + HQ Magazine is the EMEA magazine for international associations + Circulation: 5,000 copies + Published 5 times a year + Distribution in Europe, Middle East and Africa
Distribution + HAP is an Asian-Pacific magazine + Circulation: 2,500 copies + Published 4 times a year + 14 Asian-Pacific countries
Readership + International associations organizing international congresses in EMEA and other continents (94%) + Members of ESAE, the European Society of Association Executives (1%) + the EMEA meetings industry PCO’s, AMC’s, members of 1% 5% EFAPCO, IAPCO (5%)
94%
Readership The readers of HAP consists of 3 important groups: + the Asian-Pacific associations organising congresses in the region: 65% + the internationanl associations organizing international congresses: 30% 5% + the Asian-Pacifc meetings industry, international agencies (PCO’s, AMC’s, members of IAPCO): 5% 30% 65%
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HeadQuarters magazine, The EMEA Magazine for Association Executives
PLANNING HQ EMEA Print Issue # Publication Booking Date deadline Topics HQ43 March 2011 7 Jan. Practical issues (insurance, visas, customs, exchanges, rates, etc.) HQ44 April 2011 22 March Alternative types of events venues HQ45 June 2011 18 April Conference hotels Technology (social media, design, new software, etc.) HQ46 Sept. 2011 22 June Sustainability HQ47
Nov. 2011
3 Oct.
Each issue includes a cover interview, a special feature and destination reports.
HEADQUARTERS magazine, The Asia-Pacific Magazine for Association Executives
PLANNING HAP
Additional Distribution EMIF GIBTM
Print Issue # HAP 5 HAP 6
Publication Date April 2011 July 2011
Booking deadline 25 Febr. 26 May
HAP 7
Oct. 2011
26 Aug.
HAP 8
Dec. 2011
28 Oct.
IMEX AIBTM ASAE Annual Meeting CIBTM IMEX America ESAE Annual Congress EIBTM
IT&CMA and CTW ITB Asia EIBTM
Each issue includes a cover interview, a special feature and destination reports.
Online HQ publishes a Global E-Zine, in which where can choose to promote your activities in one or several of the following sections: meetings professional, events and fairs, destinations, venues, hotels. HQ Global E-Zine is sent out to professional association planners.
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Alliances and partnerships of destinations, venues, etc.: how it is beneficial to associations
Online HQ publishes a Global E-Zine, in which where can choose to promote your activities in one or several of the following sections: meetings professional, events and fairs, destinations, venues, hotels. HQ Global E-Zine is sent out to professional association planners.
Destination reports Within the magazine Loose supplement
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Destination reports 4 pages 6 pages 8 pages 12 pages 16 pages Within the magazine 7,000€* 8,500€* 10,000€* 13,000€* 16,000€* Loose supplement / / 12,000€ 14,000€ 18,000€ *with cover picture of the destination
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5440
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The Global Meetings & Events Exhibition 29 November – 1 December 2011 Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
Five star business opportunities for the meetings and events industry International exhibition of over 3000 companies Discover new destinations, products and services Build and develop business contacts through a variety of networking events Keep up-to-date with industry trends Make purchasing decisions Develop professional knowledge Connect with the global Meetings & Events community
“
“
If you only go to one show a year this is an annual must attend event without a doubt. Tim Procter – Air Charter Ltd.
Find out more at www.eibtm.com/MIM EIBTM is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Events Portfolio
organised by
HQ >
COMMENT
A NEW MEETINGS INDUSTRY CONTINENT I use the term ‘meetings industry’ a bit deliberately in the title, because I know they tend to say MICE Industry in Asia and Business Tourism in Africa. One global definition would be better, because it would make the outside world - the global world as to speak - better understand what we’re all about. At HQ, we always try to use ‘meetings industry’. But it’s not my goal to discuss this matter right now. What’s more important is that we’re seeing a new meetings industry continent rising: the Asia Pacific. And it’s growing fast. Just take a look at the brand-new 2010 ICCA Statistics* (see page 20). A pioneer on the continent, Singapore, already first in the UIA stats, has kept its fifth position worldwide and its first position in Asia, while Japan and China have both climbed one place. MARCEL A.M. VISSERS Editor in Chief
But there’s more this year.
In 2010, Taiwan, as a country, played host to a total of 138 international association meetings, ranking 23rd globally and taking the 5th place in both the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. Overall, Taiwan’s country ranking has risen significantly over the past year. With 99 international association conferences in 2010, Taipei occupies now the 11th spot worldwide and 2nd place in Asia. How did Taiwan and Taipei make this happen in a relative short period of time? We thought an interview with Cynthia Kiang, Chief Secretary of BOF (Bureau A new meetings industry of Foreign Trade Taiwan), would be more than appropriate to explain this success. Read Cynthia’s answers page 14. continent is rising: the Asia
Pacific. And it’s growing fast. Just take a look at the brand-new 2010 ICCA Statistics. They say it all!
Taiwan could well epitomize what’s going on in Asia and China at the moment. Sally Greenhill, director of The Right Solution, presented the latest CIBTM industry report at the fair this September and her observations left no doubt in my mind about the state of the Asian meetings industry as a whole. According to the research, there has been tremendous growth in volume both in the past year and for the year ahead, however this is not matched by budget growth which is creating a challenge in meeting client expectations within their budget allowances. Outbound business is growing although the suggestion is this is not made easy by visa procedures - sometimes applicants are not sure they can have a visa until two days before they are due to travel! Professional conference organisers and other meeting professionals are increasing as people identify the needs of business visitors compared to leisure visitors. And last but not least: although Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are taking the lion’s share of the business it is spreading throughout China with new cities coming to the fore (more on page 10).
* The ICCA rankings cover meetings organised by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries
» READ MORE OF MARCEL’S STORIES ON HIS BLOG: WWW.MARCELSBLOG.TYPAD.COM!
HEADQUARTERS 5
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HQ > CONTENTS
COLOPHON HEADQUARTERS ASIA-PACIFIC OR HAP IS A NICHE PUBLICATION FOR LOCAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS BASED IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION DEALING WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF WORLDWIDE CONGRESSES. PUBLISHED 4 TIMES A YEAR. CIRCULATION: 2,500 COPIES IN 14 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. Subscriptions Subscriptions amount to 85 euros (all incl.). The online version of the magazines is available at www.headquartersmagazine.com Editor in Chief Marcel A.M.Vissers marcel@headquartersmagazine.com Managing Director Cécile Caiati-Koch cecile@headquartersmagazine.com Account Manager - International Sales Kelvin Lu T: +32(0)761 70 59 kelvin@headquartersmagazine.com Managing Editor Rémi Dévé remi@headquartersmagazine.com
CONTENTS Cover HAP7: Cynthia Kiang, chief secretary of Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, explains how Taiwan has risen as a premier association destination
GENERAL RATES & EDITORIAL PLANNING
2
MARCEL’S COMMENT
5
CONTENTS
7
NEWS
8
CIBTM RESEARCH REPORT
10
A CASE STUDY FROM KYOTO
12
MEETINGS TRENDS
21
COVER INTERVIEW
Contributors Marc Bontemps Marilyn Mehlmann Adam Baggs
CYNTHIA KIANG
Design UPSILON advertising, Kortrijk - Belgium T: +32 (0)56 24 94 44 info@upsilonadvertising.be
UIA
Print The Neu Print PTE Ltd - Singapore neuprint@singnet.com.sg Supported by UIA, Union of International Associations Address Headquarters Magazines PTE Ltd 1 Scotts Road #21-07 Shaw Centre Singapore 228208 Responsible Publisher Headquarters Magazines PTE Ltd - Singapore Marcel A.M. Vissers marcel@headquartersmagazine.com
RESPONSIBLE MEETINGS
COLOMBO
23
SOUTH AFRICA
24
BERLIN
28
GENEVA
30
Headquarters Asia-Pacific, the must-have publication, is free to all association event planners. Just write to info@headquartersmagazine.com with your name, title and precise contact details and express your interest: you’ll be automatically added to our distribution list. Suppliers (convention centres, hotels, special venues, agencies, etc.) in the meetings industry can benefit from special rates for group subscriptions. Write to info@headquartersmagazine.com - we will happily answer your questions!
Rémi Dévé
18
DESTINATIONS
GET YOUR OWN FREE COPIES OF HQ ASIA-PACIFIC! Cécile Caiati-Koch
14
HQ
> HEADQUARTERS NEWS
will be available to all exhibitors until the 30 November 2011. AIME will be held on 21-22 February 2012 at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre (MCEC) in Melbourne, Australia. Taking a stand at AIME gives exhibitors access to over 3,500 Hosted Buyers and attendees from incentive houses, associations, event management companies and professional conference organisers (PCOs) all under one roof. www.aime.com.au
GRAND HYATT SEOUL AMONG ‘WORLD’S BEST HOTELS IN ASIA’ Grand Hyatt Seoul
The Darling, Sydney
This month, Sydney’s Star Casino has relaunched as The Star, a one-of-a-kind destination for business event visitors and a stand-out feature of any incentive itinerary. Following an $860 million redevelopment the Sydney landmark will reveal a 3,000 squaremetre extension which will be home to a new dining area featuring 20 new restaurants, bars and cafes, all set on an open promenade over-looking Sydney Harbour. The Darling, a new five-star hotel, has also been launched as part of the redevelopment. businessevents.australia.com
The Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul has been chosen as one of the best hotels in Asia by Travel + Leisure, a travel magazine with more than 4,790,000 readers worldwide. Every August, Travel + Leisure holds its ‘World’s Best Awards’ program, creating a definitive list of the world’s top hotels, cruise lines, airlines, car rental agencies, outfitters, cities and islands, as voted by its readers. Travel + Leisure completed its list of the ‘World’s Best Awards 2011’ and Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul was honored to have been named among the ‘World’s Best Hotels in Asia’. This award is even more meaningful given that Grand Hyatt Hotel Seoul was the only Korean hotel on the list, ranked 23 of the 25 best hotels in Asia. www.hyatt.com
AIME PREPARING FOR 2012 ANNIVERSARY SHOW
2011 JMIC UNITY AWARD GOES TO LUC MAENE
Companies interested in exhibiting at the 20th anniversary Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) can now take advantage of reduced prices, with organisers announcing its priority booking rates which
Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) President Leigh Harry announced the winner of the 2011 JMIC Unity Award as Luc Maene, Director General, International Fertilizer Industry Association and President, Euro-
SYDNEY TO LAUNCH A WORLD-CLASS BUSINESS DESTINATION
HEADQUARTERS 8
pean Society of Association Executives. The Unity Award is made annually to an individual who represents the best qualities of Meetings Industry Leadership and who has devoted major efforts to creating stronger relationships and a greater cohesion for the industry. www.themeetingsindustry.org
NEW ONLINE PLATFORM MAKES GROUP TRAVEL PROCESS EASY Azavista is a free, online Request for Proposal and booking platform that allows users to arrange meetings, conferences and hotel accommodation for group travel. It enables planners to send out requests, monitor responses, conduct negotiations, and follow-up on bookings with over 40,000 three, four and five star hotels suitable for group travel and meetings. In turn, hotels can manage requests from one standard platform. Azavista can assist hotels in growing business and help save time and money. It does not interfere with commissions and still permits users to maintain direct contact. www.azavista.com
KUCHING, SARAWAK MOVES UP
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Kuching, Sarawak has earned its place, for the first time ever, in the 2010 ICCA Asia Pacific & Middle East city ranking, sharing 42nd spot with Nara and Guangzhou. The recent establishment of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), with the collaborative marking efforts of the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB), has raised Kuching city’s profile as a bourgeoning destination for international association conventions. www.sarawakcb.com
> HEADQUARTERS NEWS
Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre
BRISBANE RECORDS STRONG NATIONAL CONVENTION GROWTH
Association Congress, held August 29-30, 2011 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). The first conference of its kind in the country provided an engaging and effective platform for delegates to celebrate success, discuss challenges and learn best practices from industry experts from India and abroad. The Asia Development Bank, EU India, Indo German Chamber of CommerceIndia, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Indo-European Chamber of Commerce and the Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry were among the international organizations present for the two-day mega event. www.hicc.com
WELL-CONNECTED ESTREL BERLIN
Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre fared nicely in the national conference market, with results for the 2010/2011 financial year showing a 16% increase in confirmed national business for Brisbane and the Centre. The Centre’s National Convention Sales Team chalked up a record 103 newly confirmed conventions, delivering 64,600 delegates and some 233,395 room nights to Brisbane’s doorstep. The newly confirmed conferences cover a broad spectrum of Queensland’s key sector strengths including the booming energy sector, education, health, finance, science, technology and the environment. www.bcec.com.au Estrel Berlin
INAUGURAL INDIA ASSOCIATION CONGRESS A HIT IN HYDERABAD
Hyderabad International Convention Centre
Industry leaders and key decision-makers from some 300 associations and nonprofit organizations participated in the India
With the opening of the new capital city airport in Berlin-Schoenefeld in the middle of next year, the Estrel Berlin is the first large hotel on the way from the airport to the city. It is just four minutes from the motorway exit to the hotel’s underground car park and there is also a public bus that brings guests directly from the terminal to the Sonnenallee. The Estrel is therefore not only the ideal location for events with international guests, but also a perfect starting point for business travellers. No wonder the hotel has already played host to over 1,000 events for both national and international companies and associations this year. www.estrel.com
2011-2012 MEETINGS INDUSTRY FAIRS WORLDWIDE: MAKE YOUR CHOICE! IT&CMA // 4-6 October 2011, Bangkok // www.itcma.com.sg IMEX America // 11-13 October 2011, Las Vegas // www.imexamerica.com ITB Asia // 19-21 October 2011, Singapore // sme-itb-asia.com EIBTM // 29 November-1 December 2011, Barcelona // www.eibtm.com AIME // 21-22 February 2011, Melbourne // www.aime.com.au GIBTM // 26-28 March 2012, Abu Dhabi // www.gibtm.com IT&CM China // 17-19 April 2012, Shanghai // www.itcmchina.com
NEWS FROM HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER The Hawaii Convention Center will round out its highly successful 2010-2011 international outreach as Hawaii prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 Leaders’ Meeting in November. The 19th APEC Leaders’ Meeting, one of the world’s largest intergovernmental meetings and the largest such gathering in Hawaii’s history, will host 21 member economies from Nov. 12-13. International participation greatly enhances the depth of the meetings that take place at the Hawaii Convention Center. Organizations can literally go global without leaving the United States. It is comfortable for organizers and first-time Asia-Pacific delegates alike. The Hawaii Convention Center has a great program to help support client’s international efforts, including in-country assistance. www.hawaiiconvention.com
Hawaii Convention Center
MORE NEWS ON WWW.HEADQUARTERSMAGAZINE.COM
HEADQUARTERS 9
HQ > RESEARCH
THE CHINA AND ASIA MEETINGS INDUSTRY
CIBTM 2011 research report
THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CHINA AND ASIA MEETINGS INDUSTRY RESEARCH REPORT SHOWS THAT CHINA AND ASIA OFFER HUGE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THE DOMESTIC, REGIONAL, INTERNATIONAL INBOUND AND OUTBOUND MARKETS FOR ALL TYPES OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS. TAKING PLACE DURING JUNE AND JULY 2011 THE RESEARCH WAS UNDERTAKEN WITH QUALIFIED BUYERS AND SUPPLIERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND INTERNATIONALLY FROM THE REED TRAVEL EXHIBITIONS GLOBAL PORTFOLIO OF EVENT’S WORLDWIDE DATABASE. A TOTAL OF 445 BUYER RESPONDENTS AND 180 SUPPLIERS WERE INVOLVED.
THE BUYER The percentage of respondents organising conferences and meetings has risen to 74% from 64% in 2010. Similarly those organising international conventions and congresses has also risen. Inbound international events to China have also grown indicating a rise in interest in the region and outbound events have also increased in number. The most popular destinations for outbound business include Taiwan, Macau, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Beyond Asia, North America was the most popular followed by Europe, Middle East and Africa. When asked to forecast destinations chosen by respondents for their events over the next year, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong continue to dominate, although in China, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Qingdao are all included for the first time. China is expected to benefit from the economic impact of the industry as it grows throughout the country in the future. Buyers said that the most important influencing factors when placing an event was cost followed by location, quality of accommodation, quality of service and the size of the venue plus time of year. However, those rating satisfaction levels for their events in China showed that there is still room for improvement in facilities as 44%
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rated destinations used as very good or excellent - a reduction from 60% last year sighting the need for more training and professional skills to handle business.
BUYERS: DESTINATIONS FOR EVENTS IN ASIA IN NEXT 12 MONTHS
0
20
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60
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100 89%
Japan 50% expect an increase in event budgets in future and 34% think they will stay the same. Factors influencing events in future show cost pressures and trends in the meetings market globally having an impact on China in the future as buyers try to organise a higher number of events on lower budgets - a trend that is being seen worldwide. The economic climate and pressure to reduce costs remain the factors most likely to influence events in the next 12 months. Passport and visa issues have become more important as the volume of outbound business has increased. CSR and environmental issues are now influential for over 80% of respondents, a significant shift over previous years. When assessing the outlook for 2012 the key issues that are predicted to have the most impact on increasing conference and event business in China and Asia are cost, hotels - lack of supply or capacity, training, understanding of international business needs, infrastructure, airlines and sufficient routes, service and meeting the required standards, supply and capacity for travel, accommodation and venues.
Taiwan
83%
Macau
53%
India
50%
Maldives
42%
Korea (South)
25%
Nepal
24%
BUYERS: DESTINATIONS IN REST OF THE WORLD FOR EVENTS IN NEXT 12 MONTHS
0
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Australia
83%
North America
78%
France
70%
UK Italy
69% 68%
Germany
60%
Spain
56%
Middle East North Africa
53%
South Africa
55%
Europe Russia
100 84%
38%
Caribbean
30%
South Central America
30%
> RESEARCH
BUYERS: MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCING FACTORS WHEN PLACING AN EVENT
0
10
total costs location quality of accomodation (hotels) quality of service capacity and quality of meeting venue facilities time of year overall appeal of the destination to attendees international air routes visa process and procurement security/safety availability of venues/hotel rooms transport availability in destination travel time to destination from place of origin infrastructure of the destinations food quality range of leisure activity options weather
THE SUPPLIER Suppliers cited conferences and meetings as the event types they are most involved with at 64% whilst incentives were not far behind at 53%. Travel agencies remain
20
30
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49% the economic climate 44% pressure to reduce costs
33% passport and visa issues 30% 29% green/environmental issues/carbon offset 27% corporate social responsability 24% 23% adequate infrastructure 22% technology increasingly influencing format of events 21% Lack of specialist skills or required numbers of trained staff 19% 16% 16% 16% 14% 13% 13%
BUYERS: TRENDS LIKELY TO INFLUENCE EVENTS IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
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33% 29% 27% 19% 17% 12% 12% 10%
the #1 position as third party organisers although the growth of the PCO has risen considerably from 6th last year to 2nd in 2011. While the pharma and medical clients dominated the sector once again, the financial services/banking rose from 6th position in last year’s research to 2nd place.
Similarly to buyers the most influencing trends for events in the next 12 months will be the economic situation although environmental/green issues have increased in importance with 58% of suppliers citing CSR and environmental issues as extremely or somewhat influential on their events.
Suppliers matched the buyer’s responses well in predicting the outbound areas of most interest to their Chinese clients with Asia still dominating, Europe in second place followed by Australasia. Similarly the factors influencing suppliers choice of where to hold events reflects closely the buyers concerns and include cost, location, capacity and quality of facilities plus service levels.
Critically whilst the research showed caution for the year ahead compared to the 2010 survey, reflective of the economic situation worldwide. 52% still predict an increase in the volume of events yet only 27% suggest an increase in budgets for events. 34% will be increasing their marketing and promotional budgets. 32% show that they will increase their selection of long haul destinations.
Future business growth is predicted by suppliers to come from China with 56% mentioning Beijing, 45% Shanghai, 34% Hong Kong and 27% Taiwan, but additional areas of interest are shown as North and West China, the whole Bohai-rim region, the Pearl river delta and the Yangtze river delta. 70% of supplier respondents are targeting corporate organisations for business in future, 34% third party organisers/agencies and 29% the not for profit organisations and associations.
The future factors that will affect the increase in conference and event business in China and Asia show that the #1 influence will come from a need for a better understanding of the needs of international business visitors followed by training and professional qualifications for employees, service, infrastructure development, costs and budgets, improving visa procedures and formalities, safety and security.
CIBTM 2011 Jeffrey Xu, CIBTM Project Manager, explains: ‘This year’s CIBTM event is clearly following the growth trends for the MICE sector in the region with over 300 exhibitors a 21% growth in event space over 2010 and more than 300 Hosted Buyers (25% increase over 2010). Our research also highlights the need for professional training and education to keep up with the pace of growth and CIBTM is now considered to be the annual event that focuses on development of this resource for all those involved in the industry. Professional training and accreditation has become an important focus in the Chinese meetings industry - this is shown in the thirst for knowledge, learning, accreditation such as CMP and MPI Global training, both of which are establishing themselves at CIBTM and in Beijing.’
www.cibtm.com
HEADQUARTERS 11
HQ > KYOTO
Opening ceremony
Case Study
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS IN KYOTO THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON THROMBOSIS & HAEMOSTASIS (ISTH) IS THE LEADING WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE UNDERSTANDING, PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF THROMBOTIC AND BLEEDING DISORDERS. IT’S AN INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 3,000 MEMBERS IN MORE THAN 80 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. THE ASSOCIATION HELD ITS LAST CONGRESS IN JULY IN KYOTO - IT WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 4,400 DELEGATES FROM MORE THAN 70 COUNTRIES.
Among the highly regarded activities and initiatives of ISTH are education and standardization programs, research activities, meetings and conferences, peer-reviewed publications and expert committees. Held July 23-28, 2011 at Kyoto International Conference Center, the ISTH2011 congress was the first ISTH congress to be held in Asia in 22 years (since the XII congress in Tokyo in 1988). The society had grown rapidly during that time - there were almost 8,000 participants at the XXI congress in Geneva and XXII congress in Boston - the ISTH Congress is organized every two years. The main theme of the congress was ‘Dispatch from Asia’, because medical studies have become truly borderless, as conference Chairman Dr. Yasuo Ikeda pointed out: ‘It is an era where new drugs are being developed
HEADQUARTERS 12
all over the world and are then used across borders.’ The presidential symposium focused on four important research subjects: platelet, coagulation, fibrinolysis and vascular wall. Dr. Yasuo Ikeda invited three very distinguished scientists to talk about historical perspectives and future directions of research. He explained: ‘By considering old and new perspectives in platelet, coagulation and fibrinolytic research, my idea was that we could look back at the history of thrombosis and haemostastis in a meaningful way. It is very important to reflect on history; it forms the basis of why we learn, and how we move forward in our research.’ Two new events took place during the Congress: the meeting of the Outreach Forum with young scientists from all over the world, organised by Professor Frits
Rosendaal, and the awardee and trainee reception. ‘These were great initiatives and symbolise what congresses are so important for: bringing our global community together’, said Council Chairman Dr. Henri Bounameaux.
CHALLENGE AND AFTERMATH According to Keiko Nishimoto, from appointed congress organizer Japan Convention Services, it was a challenge to have the XXIII congress in Kyoto: there is only 3,000sqm of exhibition space at Kyoto International Conference Center and more space was required. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) decided to hire an 8,100sqm temporary structure at the ICC, to be utilised as poster and exhibition space. At the same time, Japan Convention Services developed the Automated Registration Machine (CARM3)
> KYOTO
emony
KEY FACTS & FIGURES
Gala event, Grand Prince Hotel
Despite all the speculations over Japan’s situation in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the ISTH Executive Committee reached an unanimous decision to hold ISTH2011 in Kyoto as planned
which enabled a smooth registration process in limited registration area. And there was also an unexpected issue: the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami of March 11. Despite all the speculations over Japan’s situation and after carefully reviewing its options, the ISTH Executive Committee reached an unanimous decision to hold ISTH2011 in Kyoto as planned. The ISTH Executive Committee, headed by Chairman Dr. Henri Bounameaux examined the situation thoroughly and made the decision based on scientific assessment. The LOC took quick action to keep ISTH2011 in Kyoto - such as compiling objective data on the nuclear situation and hiring a risk consultancy to continually monitor the the situation. Reports provided by the consultancy said that ‘Kyoto offers a secure environment for major international conferences.’ There were almost 4,600 participants gathered at the ICC Kyoto in July, warmly welcomed by the residents of Kyoto. The welcome included more than 200 banners across the city, welcome signs at every hotel in taxis, and a free subway pass offered by
Kyoto Lions Club. ‘Everyone was kind and helpful at the meeting and everywhere in Japan I visited. I just love the people. I hope to go back to Japan again in the future’, said one participant. Delegates viewed a 3D movie during the opening ceremony which reflected on the aftermath of the earthquake and also the beauty of Japan. In addition, a huge fireworks display during the opening reception acted as a message of thanks from the city. Worth noting is that the entire afternoon of Wednesday 27th July was set aside by the organisers for attendees to enjoy the host city, Kyoto. Official housing and travel agent JTB provided some truly fascinating tailor-made tours each day of the conference - most were sold out long in advance. Tour themes included: World Cultural Heritage (UNESCO sites), Lotus Flowers and Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine and Sake Brewing, Mt. Hiei & Lake Biwa.
ROLE OF KYOTO CONVENTION BUREAU
+ ISTH 2011 - XXIII Congress of The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis + Saturday 23rd July - Thursday 28th July 2011 + Kyoto International Conference Center, Kyoto + 4,400+ delegates, plus hundreds of accompanying persons + 70+ countries represented + 500+ posters + Three halls used for the trade exhibition + Organiser: ISTH 2011 Local Organising Committee + PCO: JCS (Japan Convention Services, Tokyo)
years, but the main energy came from Dr. Ikeda and ICC Kyoto. In the aftermath of March 11 KCB mobilised local authorities and industry players to send their official support to the organisers in the form of letters giving details of the current situation in unaffected Kyoto and the measures in place here to assure the safety of citizens and visitors. On site KCB coordinated a tourist information desk with the help and support of Kyoto Tourism Association, Kyoto International Conference Center, and Kyoto Systemised Goodwill Guides. The desk had a staff of eight from 8am - 7pm daily and there was never a quiet moment fielding questions on how and where to dine, what to see and how to get around the city - the local Lions Club had provided each attendee with the above mentioned Convention Pass for the subway system and people were keen to put it to good use.
This case study was drafted thanks to documents provided by Soaring Worldwide (www.soaringww.com)
Kyoto Convention Bureau (KCB) had some part to play in supporting the bid over the
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HQ
> COVER INTERVIEW
RISING TAIWAN A conversation with Cynthia Kiang HIGHER THAN EVER IN THE ICCA RANKINGS, DEVELOPING ITS MICE INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT OR USING PRESTIGIOUS VENUES IN A ‘MEETINGS’ PURPOSE, TAIWAN IS A PLAYER WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO COUNT WITH. WE MET CYNTHIA KIANG, THE CHIEF SECRETARY OF TAIWAN’S BUREAU OF FOREIGN TRADE, ON HER BUSY STAND AT IMEX IN FRANKFURT THIS MAY. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE AROUND AND THE SOUND LEVEL WAS QUITE HIGH, JUST LIKE ON ANY TRADE SHOW ACTUALLY, WE SOON BECAME ENTHRALLED BY HER VISION OF TAIWAN AS A MEETINGS DESTINATION. SHE EXPLAINS HERE HOW TAIWAN HAS RISEN AS A PREMIERE ASSOCIATION DESTINATION AND WHY THIS IS ONLY LIKELY TO BE THE BEGINNING OF GREAT THINGS. INTERVIEW MARCEL A.M. VISSERS & RÉMI DÉVÉ
HQ: Could you explain where Taiwan stands in the Asia-Pacific as well as on a global level? Cynthia Kiang: Taiwan is relatively new in Asia - but we keep moving up in the ICCA rankings, which says a lot about our efforts to be a distinctive meetings destination (though ICCA rankings are of course not an end in themselves, but a good indicator of where we stand compared to others). As an agency funded by the government, we indeed work hard to enhance the competitiveness of the local MICE industry. It’s hard to believe that everything started only seven years ago and many people rightly believe Taiwan’s MICE industry is still in its infancy: there is still loads to do in terms of Taiwan being present in the international
HEADQUARTERS 14
meetings map. The Bureau of Foreign Trade is there to help us in this specific area and I’m confident that in a few years’ time Taiwan will be a leading force in the global meetings industry. HQ: What do these ‘efforts’ mean in practical terms? Cynthia Kiang: Since the launch of the Taiwan MICE Advancement Program and ‘MEET TAIWAN’, there has been a marked improvement in various key indicators with regard to international association conferences held in Taiwan and Taiwan’s overall rankings. It goes without saying that MEET TAIWAN’s active involvement in international MICE
> COVER INTERVIEW
trade shows and expos has borne fruit. We’re exerted a lot of effort into upgrading the MICE industry here and we think that our efforts should be known to worldwide potential customers. I’d even say it’s all the more admirable since the governmental funds are quite limited in terms of MICE projects. So we choose to invest in bidding processes, promoting the country to the international market, trying to add educational values to conferences that select us, while of course liaising with the government. We see MEET TAIWAN as a one-stop shop that’s here to help potential customers but also that serves as a coordinator between agencies, cities, regions of Taiwan working hard at making it a premiere meetings destination. HQ: Do you think there is a kind of competition between different destinations in the Asia-Pacific region? Cynthia Kiang: It’s more than competition. I feel the whole MICE industry is currently moving from Europe to Asia. Just like Asia is a whole new continent for some people, it’s a whole new MICE continent for people in our industry. On this MICE continent, Taiwan is now at the forefront of research and development in all
The Splendor Kaohsiung
kinds of industries, ranging from information and communication technology (ICT) to biotechnology and powersports products. A hub of technological innovation, Taiwan has built its industrial excellence upon decades of working with businesses and consumers from Japan, the United States and many European countries. It produces many high tech products that are typically first or second in terms of global market share. Taiwan’s industries are also highly integrated, having been ranked first place for cluster development by the WEF in 2008. The island’s industry clusters are supported by an array of comprehensive international exhibitions. We naturally try to combine these strengths with conferences that might have an interest to come here. That’s where our added values lie. Once all this is connected, once you have discovered how hospitable and fascinating we are, it’s a whole experience that’s simply on display! HQ: What kind of association conferences do you attract in Taiwan currently? Cynthia Kiang: The core of the conventions we host come from NGOs, which serve as ambassadors for us. Right now, we mostly attract Asian-Pacific conferences, but we want that to change, we’d want more inter-
national events. We have all the required conditions to host prestigious congresses: Taiwan is easily accessible from every part of the world, we have a good transport system and boast state-of-the-art meetings infrastructures, with a few new always in the pipeline. We also have a reputation of being very clean and safe - we can provide a whole island experience! In Taiwan, age-old wisdom grounds an insatiable entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation plus quality result from a detailed approach to getting it right. Cultural treasures and majestic peaks are within minutes of cutting-edge convention venues, and enchanting markets with great food are always nearby. Let me add that we’re also very strong in exhibitions. One of them is the epitomy of all: Computex, which has become the largest computer exhibition in Asia and the second largest in the world, next to CeBIT in Germany. Each year, key global businesses come to this event to launch their new products. Since a large portion of the businesses in the world have research and deployment centers or production facilities in Taiwan, this exhibition attracts observers, analysts, and journalists of computer and information industries from all over the
with the MEET TAIWAN team
HEADQUARTERS 15
> COVER INTERVIEW
Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC)
world to discover and report the latest technologies, developments, and trends. HQ: Can you tell us a little bit about the Economic Cooperation Framework Network going on between mainland China and Taiwan and how it’s helping the Taiwanese meetings industry? Cynthia Kiang: The ECFA is a preferential trade agreement between the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan that aims to reduce tariffs and
Cynthia Kiang at IMEX 2011
as banking, securities, insurance, hospitals and accounting, while Taiwan agreed to offer wider access in seven areas, including banking and movies. This agreement also includes service industries like conferences, which will make Taiwan very interesting in terms of overall costs involving the organization of events here. HQ: Last but not least, there is also EXCO Taiwan which is showcasing Taiwan’s meetings abilities…
Taiwan is now at the forefront of research and development in all kinds of industries, ranging from information and communication technology (ICT) to biotechnology and powersports products
commercial barriers between the two sides and to improve the relationships between the two countries with more transparency. Many observers think the deal is to benefit Taiwan far more than mainland China. The ‘early harvest’ list of tariff concessions covers 539 Taiwanese products and 267 mainland Chinese goods. Mainland China will also open markets in 11 service sectors such
Cynthia Kiang: The second Taiwan Exhibition & Convention Industry Show (EXCO Taiwan) took place at the Taipei World Trade Center last October. After the success of the EXCO Taiwan 2009, and seeing the potential of Taiwan’s exhibition and convention industry, the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) once again commissioned the Taiwan External
TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall
Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to organize this show. EXCO Taiwan covers the entire range of MICE businesses, including related suppliers and service vendors. The BOFT’s goal with EXCO Taiwan is to showcase Taiwan’s excellent quality and professional service in the MICE industry. The Asia MICE Forum (AMF) also took place at the Taipei Convention and Exhibition Center nearby to provide buyers and visitors the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the industry. Next EXCO Taiwan will take place 3-5 November 2011 - once again it will show the importance of the Taiwanese meetings industry to the world, provide a platform for MICE players to showcase their abilities, give students the opportunity to learn - in short we will build up an interesting meetings future!
CONTACT Tess Yang PR Manager T. +886-2-2514-2532 tess.yang@meettaiwan.com www.meettaiwan.com
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UIA ı UNION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
‘RESPONSIBLE’ EVENTS? IT’S NO SECRET THAT MANY ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDEED BUSINESSES, ARE INCREASINGLY SWITCHING FROM FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS TO VIDEO AND INTERNET CONFERENCING. GOOD REASONS ARE TO SAVE MONEY (OF COURSE), TO SAVE TIME (IN AIRPLANES, AIRPORTS, TAXIS AND… HOTELS). OTHER GOOD REASONS ARE ECOLOGICAL: THIS SWITCH GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE OUR USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND REDUCE CO2 EMISSIONS. AND, AS MANY OR MOST OF US NOW EXPERIENCE, RESOURCE AND CO2 REPORTING ARE INCREASINGLY EXPECTED BY MEMBERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. TEXT MARILYN MEHLMANN (GAP) AND MARC BONTEMPS (ECOLIFE)
Marc Bontemps
Marilyn Mehlmann
This increased interest relates partly to the spread of international standards such as ISO 14001 and EMAS, intended to reduce environmental harm. They have now been joined by a new standard, ISO 26001, intended to improve ‘social responsibility’. Nevertheless, we expect that physical meetings will continue to flourish. People need to meet people. ‘Virtual’ meetings
are most successful when most of the participants have already met in real life. In finding a new balance between ‘virtual’ and real-life meetings, the quality of the alternatives will play an important role: the quality of video and audio meetings has still to be improved, and indeed new improvements are announced almost monthly. Higher quality of physical events will be a future trend too, and a challenge for the event industry. In the light of current trends, we expect that event organizers will not only focus on further upgrading the quality outcome of their activities: there is also room for steep improvements regarding the environmental impact of our activities and the increasing need to justify our events as regards resource use and social responsibility.
This in turn puts pressure on venues. Beyond the little bathroom notices asking for saving water and towels, a broader view is emerging of ‘SRE’ - Socially Responsible Events. How ‘green’ and ‘responsible’ is your venue? Can it be proved? And can it be improved?
MEASURES OF ‘GREEN’ AND ‘RESPONSIBLE’ Corporate Social Responsibility, business ethics, ISO14001, ISO26000... in and across different businesses there are industry standards. In the events industry standards are in preparation: the London Olympics will foster the new ISO20121 (for sustainability in event management). We suppose you will soon hear more and more about this standard. But also Green Key, EMAS, different Ecolabels and national incentives
will increasingly be on offer. Where to start, how to build up a step-by-step approach is an obvious question - both for venue managers, and for their clients.
Printing and web hosting (did you know that internet servers account for as much CO2 emissions, worldwide as the whole aviation sector?)
A good starter is always to take a benchmark: to measure where you are. One measure of resource use and emissions, increasingly used in many sectors, is the ecological footprint. Different calculators are available. One can also focus on specific issues like carbon, water or material footprints. Ideally this is a measure that can be used for comparison - with other organizations, or to demonstrate improvements over time. You may already be using it in your own association, and can reasonably expect some such measurement from your venue.
4.
WAYS TO IMPROVE
A good starter is always to take a benchmark: to measure where you are
Fortunately, there is a big range of actions that can be taken by a hotel or conference/ congress centre to improve performance in these areas. And a correspondingly big opportunity for an event organizer to ask pertinent questions when selecting a venue. Some things you can check in advance. Others, you will certainly notice on site. Remember to give the management feedback on your observations! Here are some major areas in which most venues could probably become more ‘green’: Catering: a leading expert says that food is the biggest single contributor to global warming - and the sector with the biggest potential for improvements. Event venues can contribute by using locally grown food, organic and/or fair trade products, reducing waste, composting unused vegetables, by including tasty and high quality vegetarian dishes on the menu.
1.
Heating/cooling, lighting and other energy use: often a first point of attention because a lot of money can be saved by investing in new applications - and by engaging staff and guests, empowering them to behave differently.
2.
3.
Office, conference, exhibition and maintenance supplies (reducing waste and useless gadgets can save money and ecological impact). Even visitors’ badges can be bio-degradable these days, towel and other textiles can be fair trade…
Transportation: how accessible is the venue by public transport? How are car parks planned and maintained? Is your staff already ‘eco-driving’?
5.
Some other factors that may have either a high or a low environmental impact: + the cleaning of the venue, laundry, and services to the guests + furniture, furnishings and building materials (including paint for instance) Social responsibility also, importantly, includes ‘access for all’: both standards of accessibility for people with different kinds of handicap; and staff ability to cope with the needs of such guests. ‘Responsible’ employees are indeed a critical factor: at all levels in the venue, staff should be aware of what can be done to reduce environmental impact and act more responsibly. Education plays an equally important role as physical investments and communication. Empowering staff on these issues increases team spirit and good feeling, and creates a positive environment for guests: you’ll soon notice!
Social responsibility is usually also taken to include factors that can be more difficult for you as a client or guest to assess. It includes things like equal opportunity for employees - regardless of race, gender, age, etc.; working with the entire supply chain to meet high ethical and environmental standards; contributing to the local community.
TOP MANAGEMENT: THE KEY The values, priorities, and behaviour of the top management team are the key to success. This is as true now as when W. Edwards Deming pointed it out in the 1940s, and as true in the events sector as anywhere else. A team that truly values ‘green’ and ‘responsible’ performance is not just ‘greenwashing’. It’s committed to improvements and constantly looking for better ways to do things. A team that prioritizes improved performance constantly communicates this to all employees, clients, and other stakeholders; and invites evaluation by including ‘green’ and ‘responsible’ factors in, for instance, the annual report. The top management team communicates most effectively by example. Do it! Expect to be noticed. And, most of all: guests will love to come to a place where things that matter really count.
www.uia.org
Marilyn Mehlmann is a Vice-President of the Union of International Associations (UIA). She is, since 1995, the General Secretary of Global Action Plan International, a network of organizations working for a common goal: empowering people to live and work increasingly sustainably. She is also a Member of the Advisory Boards of People-Centered Development Forum, Seattle, and of Gaia University, Germany and Mexico. Marc Bontemps (1953) is Director of Ecolife, the Belgian member of Global Action Plan. Ecolife developed different footprint calculators for events and venues. Marc has worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers as well as for different development agencies and a CSR-rating bureau.
HQ
> MEETING TRENDS
EVERY JUNE AND JULY HQ GETS BOMBARDED WITH MEETINGS STATISTICS. WE CALL IT THE ‘ICCA AND UIA THUNDERSTORMS’. OF COURSE THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO EXIST, AS THEY CLEARLY INDICATE TRENDS. WE LIKE THE REACTIONS OF COUNTRIES OR CITIES DOING WELL, BUT SHARE A LITTLE OF THE PAIN OF DESTINATIONS WHO DIDN’T GET A PAT ON THE BACK AT THE SAME TIME. AS CHRISTIAN MUTSCHLECHNER, OF VIENNA CONVENTION BUREAU, PUTS IT: ‘A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT ICCA AND
MEETING TRENDS FOR 2010 ICCA’S TOP ASSOCIATION MEETINGS DESTINATIONS IN 2010 According to the ICCA country and city rankings 2010, the number of international association meetings continue to increase significantly. The city and country rankings of the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) cover meetings organised by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries, with at least 50 participants. The data represents a ‘snapshot’ of qualifying events in the ICCA Association Database as sampled on 9 May 2011. ICCA’s Association Database is designed as a sales and marketing resource for its members to target future international association meetings, which is why it does not include one-off events or those which do not move between locations.
year and an all-time record. Partly this reflects the strength of the association meetings market despite the recent economic downturn; partly it is thanks to a record number of ICCA members sending us their calendar information to help identify new events.
This year the ICCA Data researchers have identified 9,120 events which took place in 2010, 826 events more than were identified last
ICCA CEO Martin Sirk says: ‘Some of this significant increase in numbers of association meetings in 2010 is certainly due to our
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UIA STATISTICS BUT DEFINITELY ONE THING YOU CAN NOT ARGUE ANYMORE - AS THEY ARE DONE EVERY YEAR BY THE SAME CRITERIA, BOTH OF THEM ARE BECOMING “TRENDBAROMETRES”.’ WE COULDN’T SAY IT IN A BETTER WAY.
continued investment in research and the great feedback from ICCA members, but it seems clear to me that we’re in the midst of an extended period of astonishing dynamism: 2009 and 2008 were similarly buoyant in terms of new association event creation. This surely has to be driven by the acceleration of new scientific and technological developments, and the need to discuss these complex changes face-to-face. Anyone who wants to understand what the Information Revolution really looks like just needs to consider how the association meetings sector is evolving.’ As has been the case since 2004, USA and Germany are the number one and two countries respectively measured by the number of international meetings organised in 2010. However, if comparing the United States to the European Union, counting only the top 6 European countries (Germany, Spain, United
> MEETING TRENDS
Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland), Europe leads by 2,348 to 623 - explaining why no US city is mentioned in the top 20 city ranking.
Rank The gap between the USA and Germany is shrinking from 137 to 81 meetings, compared to the 2009 figures. Spain, third country in the ranking since 2007, remains third. The United Kingdom and France both climb one place to respectively fourth and fifth at the cost of Italy, which now ranks sixth. Japan and China-P.R. both also climb one place and Brazil drops two places and is now ninth. Switzerland is a newcomer in the top 10. The top 5 cities are the same as in the 2009 ranking. For the sixth year in a row, Vienna is the most popular city, even though it organized 6 meetings less compared to 2009, which means other cities are gaining ground on Vienna. Like last year, Barcelona, Paris, Berlin and Singapore make up the top 5 cities. Remarkable climbers are Madrid (jumps from 13 to 6), Istanbul (from 17 to 7), Sydney (from 27 to 10) and Taipei (from 25 to 11). Copenhagen and Stockholm dropped out of the top 10 and Bangkok dropped out of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Country
# Meetings
USA Germany Spain United Kingdom France Italy Japan China-P.R. Brazil Swizerland Australia Canada Netherlands Austria Portugal Sweden Republic of Korea Argentina Belgium Turkey
623 542 451 399 371 341 305 282 275 244 239 229 219 212 194 192 186 172 164 160
the top 20. For Bangkok political unrest can clearly be appointed as a cause for this drop. When creating a city ranking measured by total number of participants hosted at all
UIA’S INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 2010 For the past 62 years, the Union of International Associations (UIA) has undertaken, for the benefit of its members, statistical studies on the preceding year’s international meetings. As in previous years, the report is also available for sale to the public following a period of three months’ exclusive use by UIA Associate Members. The statistics are based on information systematically collected by the UIA Congress Department and selected according to strict criteria maintained over the years, thus enabling meaningful comparison from year to year. Meetings taken into consideration include those organized and/or sponsored by the
NUMBER OF MEETINGS PER CITY
NUMBER OF MEETINGS PER COUNTRY
international organizations which appear in the Yearbook of International Organizations and in the International Congress Calendar, i.e.: the sittings of their principal organs, congresses, conventions, symposia, regional sessions grouping several countries, as well as some national meetings with international participation organized
Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
City
# Meetings
Vienna Barcelona Paris Berlin Singapore Madrid Istanbul Lisbon Amsterdam Sydney Taipei Beijing Buenos Aires London Copenhagen Seoul Stockholm Budapest Prague Hong Kong
154 148 147 138 136 114 109 106 104 102 99 98 98 97 92 91 89 87 85 82
meetings in 2010, Stockholm is third, which means it has hosted less but bigger meetings.
www.iccaworld.com
by national branches of international associations. Not included are purely national meetings as well as those of an exclusively religious, didactic, political, commercial, or sporting nature, and corporate and incentive meetings, the survey of these specific markets not being within the scope of activities of the UIA. More prominence has been given to presenting data which, due to the passage of time, can be considered to have stabilized. The editors emphasize that the number of meetings for the current reporting year (2010) is expected to be around 80 percent of that extracted from the database five years hence.
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> MEETING TRENDS
TOP INTERNATIONAL MEETING CITIES IN 2010
UIA’S HARD FIGURES FOR 2010 Total number of meetings in the UIA database 359,673 # of those answering the criteria for inclusion in this report 316,534 # of those taking place prior to the reporting year 297,724 # of those taking place in the reporting year 12,015 # of those scheduled to take place after the reporting year 6,795 # of countries represented for all years 256 # of cities represented for all years 11,047 # of countries represented for the reporting year only 181 # of cities represented for the reporting year only 1,573
Since the 2008 edition of this report (published in 2009), the UIA meetings database has been enriched by connecting it more closely to its sister database on international organizations, the source of the Yearbook of International Organizations. This enhances the data available across the time scale and in particular enables historical surveys of international organization meeting activity as far back as 1850. It has also affected the rate of change in data.
Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
CRITERIA UIA divides meetings in 3 categories: meetings of international organizations, 3-day other international meetings and 2-day other international meetings. Meetings of interntional organizations are organized or sponsored by ‘international organizations’ included in the UIA’s Yearbook of International Organizations, with at least 50 participants. 3-day other international meetings are not organized or sponsored by ‘international organizations’ but nonetheless of significant international character, with at least 40% of participants who are from countries other than the host country, with at least 5 different nationalities, lasting at least 3 days, with either a concurrent exhibition or at least 300 participants. 2-day other international meetings are not organized or sponsored by ‘international organizations’ but nonetheless of significant international character, with at least 40% of participants who are from countries other than the host country, with at least 5 different nationalities, lasting at least 2 days, with either a concurrent exhibition or at least 250 participants.
www.uia.org
HEADQUARTERS 22
City
# Meetings
Singapore Brussels Paris Vienna Seoul Barcelona Tokyo Geneva Madrid Berlin London Budapest Sydney Amsterdam New York Copenhagen Busan The Hague Melbourne Stockholm Lisbon Istanbul Rome
725 486 394 257 201 193 190 189 175 165 164 144 137 131 127 102 89 93 85 92 91 86
TOP INTERNATIONAL MEETING COUNTRIES IN 2010 Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Country
# Meetings
USA Japan Singapore France Belgium Spain Germany Korea Rep. UK Austria Italy Australia Netherlands Switzerland China Canada Hungary Norway India Sweden
936 741 725 686 597 572 499 464 375 362 357 356 329 322 236 221 181 172 164 161
HQ > COLOMBO
A NEW ICON BUILDING FOR COLOMBO AS ITS NAME IMPLIES,
SRILANKAN AIRLINES
THE BANDARANAIKE MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Bandula Ekannayake
HALL (BMICH) WAS BMICH
BUILT IN MEMORY OF SOLOMON RIDGEWAY DIAS BANDARANAIKE, THE PRIME MINISTER OF SRI LANKA FROM 1956
A 3-YEAR RENOVATION PROJECT
TO 1959. THE HALL IS A GIFT FROM
The original construction of the Hall commenced officially on 24 November 1970 and was completed in the first quarter of 1973. It was the product of joint Sri Lanka and Chinese workmanship: a considerable portion of the exquisite building materials which were used were imported from China. It included a wide range of marble in delicate tints and hues, terrazzo tiles and mosaic tiles.
THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AS A MARK OF THEIR ESTEEM FOR THE LATE PRIME MINISTER - IT’S ALSO A SYMBOL OF THE IDEALS HE WAS DEDICATED TO. THE HALL IS AN ICON BUILDING IN COLOMBO. AFTER THREE YEARS OF RENOVATION, THE CONGRESS CENTRE HAS RE-OPENED FOR INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES. TEXT MARCEL A.M. VISSERS
The National Performing Art Theatre in Colombo is currently under construction and expected to be ready soon. This is a second icon building for Colombo.
In 2007 the first announcement for renovation works was published. General Director Bandula Ekannayake explains: ‘BMICH is a symbol for peace in Sri Lanka. We suffered a long time from internal problems and the centre was not that much operational during a long time. The Chinese government decided to invest millions of rupees in order to renovate the building completely. For the first time in its history the congress centre has undergone a major renovation. BMICH is the oldest congress centre in the Asia Pacific - now we are proud to announce that we are ready to welcome international congresses again.’ The facilities include: + the Hall (maximum capacity: 1,500 delegates) + several interpretation booths (for seven languages and public broadcast) + a floor area covering 4500 m2 with two exhibition halls, lobby, dining room, lounge, kitchen and other amenities.
Dressed in their elegant sari with peacock feather motif, the female crew of SriLankan Airlines welcomes clients with ‘Ayubowan’. SriLankan Airlines operates in 43 destinations in 29 countries, among which 6 destinations are in India and 9 in the Middle East. In Europe there are flights to Sri Lanka from Paris, Rome, Milan, London, Paris and Frankfurt. www.srilankan.lk
+ the Banquet Hall, with the ability to accommodate 450 persons - ideal for luncheons, dinners or cocktails. The restaurant provides facilities to cater to 175 persons simultaneously. + the two large committee rooms ‘A’ and ‘B’ accommodating 340 delegates, with 98 observers in one room with removable seats + the committee rooms ‘C’ and ‘D’ accommodating 50 delegates each + the rooms ‘E’ and ‘F’ for 30 delegates each + seating is available to 200 participants at the BMICH Cinema.
CONTACT Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) bmich@slt.lk www.bmich.lk
Sri Lanka Convention Bureau visitsrilanka.net slcb@sltnet.lk
HEADQUARTERS 23
HQ
> SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s next chapter
FROM VISION TO ACTION WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM 2011 Greenpoint Stadium
THEIR ARE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD MORE SUITED TO A MEETING ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH THAN SOUTH AFRICA. THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, PART OF THE FAMOUS DAVOS FRANCHISE, DROPPED IN ON CAPE TOWN AND ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART CONFERENCE FACILITY, THE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, IN MAY. A 900-STRONG SHARP-SUITED GROUP OF MULTINATIONAL MOVERS AND SHAKERS SPENT THREE DAYS FLITTING AROUND CAPE TOWN’S PREMIER EVENTS VENUE, THE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (CTICC). AND SURPRISINGLY FOR A HEAVY-DUTY ECONOMICS FORUM IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS, IT WAS LOTS OF FUN.
Representing over 60 countries, powerful names in the business, NGO and government sectors took full advantage of the CTICC’s still-modern and well-connected design, moving easily between breakout rooms and sunlit corridors, catered media centres, spacious lounges and panoramic hallways to proffer business cards, make deals and take breaks in confidence and ease. Winter was looming in Cape Town. The sun still had the ability to scorch at the beginning of May on Africa’s southern tip, but once it went behind the clouds, it was time to either pull a sweater over your head or head inside. The CTICC’s famed airiness and glass
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REPORT ROSE KELLEHER
covering managed to prevent a feeling of suffocation that one might experience at a three-day indoor event.
THE POWER OF NETWORKS ‘If ever anybody doubted the fact that Africa is truly connected to the rest of the world, please come to the event here in Cape Town’ declared participant Silas Zimu, CEO of Suzlon Energy South Africa. The Geneva based World Economic Forum, established by business professor Klaus Schwab (who also participated in the event) back in the seventies, organises these forums in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe every year. It
is an ‘independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas’. The mood this year was hopeful. ‘I am excited to be a part of WEF. It gives me the opportunity to step back and admire the transformation that is so quickly spreading across the continent’ said Mr. Zimu. Olivier Campenon, President of British Telecom, EMEA, said on arrival at the forum: ‘I am once again looking forward to the whirlwind of meetings and thought
Perhaps because of its poised position on the edge of major economic development, Africa’s forum in 2011 exuded an air of optimism, hope and excitement. Adolfo Hernandez is the President of Alcatel-Lucent EMEA. He said: ‘Africa expands and so does the World Economic Forum… That’s the feeling you get when walking and mingling here at the CTICC. I know it is not the first time WEF comes to Africa. But this time feels different: we are witnessing an exciting story of human kind progress with the fast development of many, many different African nations... At different speed, with different intensity and based on different models... This is what makes this WEF Africa so special.’ Apart from plenary sessions and press conferences, there were Ideas Labs, Interactive groups and networking lunches hosted in the nearby Westin Hotel. Reports were drafted and presented in real time, and there was even a Social Media corner. Participants engaged in much discussion on how publicprivate partnerships can work for the private sector towards long-term emerging market development. Travel and tourism were highlighted as drivers of economic growth, and the first day of the event saw South Africa’s president, Jacob Zuma, sign the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Global Leaders for Tourism ‘Golden Book’, the first African leader to do so.
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT CAPE TOWN? Most participants couldn’t help but be charmed Cape Town’s best features: the beautiful landscape, and ‘ubuntu’, or hospitality. For all its castles, cuisines and cathedrals, Europe can’t match Africa’s open and welcoming hospitality. And Cape Town is safe. The Convention Centre provided shuttles to partner hotels (apart from the Westin, there was the One and Only resort, the Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel and the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel.) But the distance to these hotels is minimal, and the walk around the grounds of the centre, along the harbour or through the CBD to the city centre is a pleasure.
© Michael Najjar
ium
provoking discussions. At BT, we believe in the power of networks... from technological ones like the one we are best known for - to human networks, connecting businessmen, diplomats, artists as well as ordinary people simply wanting to share ideas with someone from another part of the world.’
Westin Grand
And as impressive as the airy, light and modern CTICC may be, it can’t really expect to compete with Cape Town’s most glorious and iconic competitor: Table Mountain. This flat topped, flora covered mountain is the city’s most prominent landmark and looms large over everything. Cape Town might not necessarily be the vision of ‘Africa’ that exists in the popular imagination. Probably the least ‘African’ place in Africa, the city, particularly the watery environs of the CTICC is a bit more like the French Riviera. On a sunny day, you could even imagine you were in Sydney Harbour. Evening entertainment at the forum included a televised dinner debate attended by Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon in the Table Bay Hotel, a Nollywood themed evening attended by Nigerian cinema’s top stars in the Westin, and an African themed soiree in the Green Point Stadium. Day 2 of the program included a ‘Learning Journey’
HEADQUARTERS 25
> SOUTH AFRICA
FOCUS: CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (CTICC) Over the past years, Cape Town International Convention Centre has gradually seen its reputation grow as a premier venue to hold association congresses. Opened in 2003, the centre is situated close to the CBD, working harbour and lively waterfront and is all about space, light, and room.
Most participants couldn’t help but be charmed Cape Town’s best features: the beautiful landscape, and ‘ubuntu’, or hospitality. For all its castles, cuisines and cathedrals, Europe can’t match Africa’s open and welcoming hospitality
to Robben Island, the UNESCO site where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in incarceration. There are regular ferries to the Island, where guided tours through the prison can be arranged for small to large groups. Our tour was led by an ex-political prisoner, Dede Ntsoelengoe, and we visited the cells where Mandela’s moving struggle was recounted by a funny and personable ex-con. Everyone was impressed. The boat journey to and from the Island was a great opportunity to chat to participants. Nigerian Oscar Onemya, CEO of Nigeria’s Stock Exchange told me: ‘The WEF this year was very interesting. I’ve met with a lot of CEOs of different companies.’ While chatting about the merits of the WEF, we discovered that were both a bit worried about Cape Town’s autumn-like slightly stormy weather, and comforted ourselves with the reassurance that there were plenty life jackets on the boat. That was until we were informed by a smiling Jo’burger that we were sitting on top of a Great White Shark breeding ground. That news, along with Cape Town’s other postmeeting opportunities to take a death-defying cable car up Table Mountain, cage diving, or a
helicopter ride around the bay, certainly kept the adrenaline flowing. The World Economic Forum on Africa has been held in Cape Town many times during the last 21 years, but next year will relocate to Addis Ababa in Ethopia. Says Richard Elliott, Associate Director of the forum: ‘The idea going forward is that it will be held there on alternative years. Therefore last year it was Tanzania and next year it will be Ethiopia. Cape Town has become the un-official home of the meeting but we want to broaden its appeal and reach and one of the best ways to do this is to locate it in different countries in the continent.’ By 2013, when the WEF comes back to Cape Town, the CTICC will be in the process of expanding its premises. According to CTICC Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy, an expansion project is in the works that will lead to more than 8,000 jobs annually by 2018. The expansion will include 10,000 square metres of retail space, a hospital, an office tower and basement parking bays and a new, much larger ‘convention precinct’.
Located only a 20-minute drive away from the airport and with a shuttle bus service liaising with it, the CTICC is easy to get to. But it’s its level of excellence and commitment to quality that really stands out. The centre’s design makes it possible to organize all kinds of events, from major scientific congresses to smaller meetings. Everybody working there takes pride in the CTICC’s extraordinary adaptability - and the WEF perfectly showed that. Besides two auditoria, seating 620 and 1,500 people and a fair number of breakout rooms, CTICC is going to expand - a very good news for the big conferences that thought the venue was a bit small! The proposed expansion of the CTICC has already been carefully thought out to extend the centre’s existing commitment to effective environmental management and, as such, the construction and operation of the planned CTICC extension will be fully driven by ‘green’ principles and considerations.
CTICC, THE HARD FACTS + two raked seating auditoria, seating 620 and 1,500 people + state-of-the-art 11,400 m2 of exhibition space + a 2,000 m2 ballroom with panoramic views of the city and harbour + a Roof Terrace Room for up to 350 people + 33 breakaway rooms varying in size from 25 to 300 people www.cticc.co.za
www.southafrica.net
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, conference nvention Office e your meetings Berlin Berlin Co ng sit g ra vi e ar u th , yo w lp no s tantly reinventin re to he For 10 year we have been he Berlin is somewhere that is cons tel accommos, ar ye 10 r Fo tion venue. city. Because most modern ho ’s most exciting ing some of the er off as l el w events in Europe as d ral life. g new trends. An rivalled infrastructure and cultu itself and settin un to , it also boasts an a big “thank you� dation in Europe ould like to say w st e la w n , rli 11 Be 20 in ly y on 1 Ju u staged ar yo rs ts ve en ni ev an so th or 10 0 of our r city. u for the 113,00 On the occasion ion visitors to ou rtners. Thank yo ill pa m d ne an ni s er an th om e all our cust welcome mor g outch enabled us to ds and deliverin year alone, whi en tr w ne g in tt en: The ing, se it has always be dating our offer t up ha w ep n ke ai m to re us ires n will All this only insp you can be confident that Berli So e. ic tBerlin.de rv se standing onvention.visi .c w w w . ns tio nven place to be for co
HQ © Wolfgang Scholvien
> BERLIN
CELEBRATING BERLIN BERLIN CAN SATISFY ANY DEMANDING MEETING PLANNER: THE CHOICE OF SPECIAL LOCATIONS RANGES FROM THE 368 METRE HIGH TELEVISION TOWER TO THE HANGAR OF FORMER TEMPELHOF AIRPORT ACCOMMODATING 5,000 GUESTS. BERLIN’S MODERN HOTEL LANDSCAPE ALSO OFFERS A UNIQUE DIVERSITY AT FAVOURABLE RATES. THE DESTINATION IS WELL POSITIONED ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP, AS VISITBERLIN BERLIN CONVENTION OFFICE, THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION OF THE CONVENTION METROPOLIS, CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY.
© Wolfgang Scholvien
Since July 1, 2001 the visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office (BCO) of Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH has been offering competent support at the organisation of conventions, meetings and incentives. Customers benefit from the experienced team, a broad network of contacts and the free-of-charge agency and reservation services for hotel allotments. In time for the anniversary BCO now informs
TV Tower
with a completely revamped Internet presence on Berlin as an event metropolis. On www.convention.visitBerlin.de, Germany’s leading congress destination is presented in a comprehensive, structured and interactive manner. Event planners are provided, for instance, with ideas for framework programmes, participants get information on the tourism offering of Germany´s capital. There is also a compass for incentive travels at convention.visitBerlin.com. The generator ‘BerlinCentives’ informs about extraordinary Berlin experiences and helps selecting the perfect. In the past years, the German capital has gained attractiveness as a location for large-scale events. By the end of 2013 a new congress and trade fair centre will be built
on the site of the former Deutschland Halle. Between 2014 and 2016 it will replace the International Congress Centrum ICC Berlin, which will be completely closed and refurbished during that time. With the re-opening of the ICC Berlin, Messe Berlin will then have almost doubled its convention capacities. The capital’s new airport, Berlin Brandenburg International BBI, which is due to open in June 2012, will give a further boost to the city’s already successful development. It is currently built on the site of Schönefeld Airport. The latter will be replaced by the BBI Airport in the same way as Tegel Airport and the already closed Tempelhof Airport. The opening of the new airport is scheduled for 3 June 2012. In addition, a shuttle service will be provided between BBI and the Berlin main station. It will take passengers every 20 minutes to the airport and/or the city centre.
www.convention.visitBerlin.de
VISITBERLIN WILL BE GLAD TO MEET YOU AT ITB ASIA, BOOTH NO. Q03.
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HQ > G E N E VA
regulators around the globe this destination was convenient to travel to with many direct flights within Europe and from around the world. It also offers many sight-seeing attractions and restaurants. The city is also perfectly located on the banks of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Alps: its cosmopolitan flair perfectly reflects the international attendance of the EuroMeeting.’
Case Study
THE DRUG INFORMATION ASSOCIATION IN GENEVA HEADQUARTERED IN HORSHAM, PA, USA, BUT WITH OFFICES IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND, TOKYO, JAPAN, MUMBAI AND BEIJING, THE DRUG INFORMATION ASSOCIATION (DIA) IS A NEUTRAL, NONPROFIT, GLOBAL, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NEARLY 18,000 MEMBERS WHO WORK IN EVERY FACET OF THE DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, AND LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL
exchange that fosters the innovation of products, technologies, and services to improve health and well being worldwide. To do so, they organize, among many other events, the EuroMeeting. It brings together professionals from the biopharmaceutical industry, contract service organisations, clinical research, regulatory agencies, health ministries, patients’ organisations and universities. This convergence affords attendees the opportunity to network with professional colleagues from around the world.
DEVICES, AND RELATED PRODUCTS. THEIR 23
RD
ANNUAL EUROMEETING WAS ORGAN-
IZED IN GENEVA, AT GENEVA PALEXPO, IN MARCH 2011. The Drug Information Association (DIA) is committed to the broad dissemination of information among its members, with continuously improved professional practice as the goal, in a neutral, global environment that operates independent of the influence of any one organization or authority. Through its international educational offerings and myriad networking opportunities, DIA provides a global forum for knowledge
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The DIA EuroMeeting now in its 23rd year attracted more than 3,000 professionals from over 50 countries in Geneva. According to the co-chairs’, it ‘introduced important new themes such as global drug development in the real world. These themes highlighted new perspectives on current systems and stimulated discussion on new ways of working, as well as provide opportunities for new partnerships.’ Lisa Zoks, DIA Worldwide Marketing & Communications Director, explains: ‘Geneva was chosen because it represents a truly international city. For DIA members and
Dermot Ryan, DIA Senior Event Manager, explains the extent of the help the DIA got from the convention bureau: ‘Geneva Tourism & Conventions worked with us from the initial planning of the conference right through to execution. Prior to the conference they were a useful source of local information and contacts. During the conference period they provided complimentary screens at the airport to welcome attendees on arrival
‘Geneva is perfectly located on the banks of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the Alps: its cosmopolitan flair perfectly reflects the international attendance of the EuroMeeting’ in addition to a tourism information desk at Geneva Palexpo. They also provided free tourism material for our attendees such as city maps.’
CONTACT Anja Loetscher Director Convention Bureau Geneva Tourism & Conventions T. +41 22 909 70 46 loetscher@geneva-tourism.ch www.genevaconventionbureau.ch
Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Australia 21-22 February 2012 | aime.com.au
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You can attend AIME in a number of different ways: As a Fully Hosted Buyer (with airfares included), choose to attend either one (new option for 2012) or both days. As a Semi Hosted Buyer, choose to attend one or both days.
For more details and to apply today for AIME’s VIP Hosted Buyer Program visit aime.com.au/apply AIME IS PART OF THE REED TRAVEL EXHIBITIONS MEETINGS AND EVENTS PORTFOLIO
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TA KE YO UR THI NK ING TO A WHOLE NEW PLACE. There’s just something about Australia that changes the way you think. At first glance you might think it’s the stunning natural settings like the Twelve Apostles or its unique meeting locations. But organise an event here and you’ll soon discover it’s something far deeper. A rich history of cultural freedom and innovation has helped Australians think differently for over 40,000 years. More recently, our fresh and imaginative approach has ensured the success of world-class corporate and association meetings, rewarding incentives and unrivalled global events. So if you’re after an event that will inspire new ideas, deliver real business results and return on investment, look no further than Australia. To get your clients thinking differently visit businessevents.australia.com