PARTNERSHIP

Constellar and China National Convention Center embark on strategic partnership for event creation and knowledge exchange

Constellar, Asia

’ s partner of reference for curating innovative event and venue experiences, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with China National Convention Center (CNCC), China ’s largest convention centre in Beijing. This will enable Constellar and CNCC to explore strategic partnership opportunities and facilitate industry exchange in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) between Singapore and China in 2023.

MICE remains a dynamic engine of growth as economies and borders reopen. In Singapore, the MICE industry has shown strong recovery with a robust pipeline of international events in 2023 and beyond. This is also reflected in the growing demand by event organisers to host events at Constellar’s managed venue, the Singapore EXPO, where bookings have reached about 65% of pre-Covid levels so far. In 2022, Constellar also convened over an estimated 87,000 attendees across its four key trade exhibitions - Agri-Food Tech Expo Asia, BuildTech Asia, Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC and Singapore FinTech Festival. In 2023 Constellar will continue to build its portfolio through organic and inorganic growth, with its international footprint in Greater China strengthened through this MOU.

More international events and meetings are also expected to return to Beijing with China ’ s borders reopening this month. Beijing is one of the largest metropolitan economies in the world, home to over 50 Fortune Global 500 companies and over 100 of China ’s largest companies. Against the backdrop of a changing events landscape and a high demand for face-to-face events, the strategic partnership will facilitate the creation of new events, talent and knowledge exchange tapping on the collective wisdom and experience from both parties. “Constellar looks forward to partnering CNCC on expanding networks, empowering companies in Singapore and China to reach new audiences and go international,” said Mr Jean-François Quentin, Constellar’s Group Chief Executive Officer.

Located in Beijing’s Olympic Central Precinct, identified as one of the six high-end economic output zones focusing on entertainment, sports tourism and business conventions, China National Convention Center is China ’s largest convention center, hosting over 10,000 events since its opening in 2009. The strategic focus on Beijing by the Chinese government will accelerate its economic growth and expansion as a MICE powerhouse for the nation. Mr Wei Mingqian, General Manager of China National Convention Center, said: “Constellar and CNCC are both industry leaders in Asia ’ s events markets. Our partnership further strengthens our expertise in curating innovative events and venue experiences for businesses and customers. We look forward to combining our knowledge, boosting mutual exchanges, and joining forces to enhance industrial cooperation and exchanges between China and Singapore.

Destinations International announces Bespoke Event Cancelation Program

Destinations International, the world's largest resource for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), announced a partnership with Anderson Benson, a Nashville-based pre-eminent insurance and risk management company in the meetings and events space, to collaborate on event cancelation insurance and risk management policy options to protect destination organizations of all sizes.

The program will be exclusively available to Destinations International members and members' clients around the world. The program would include coverage to protect budgeted costs and expenses or revenue should an event be canceled, abandoned or disrupted due to reasons beyond the destination organization's control. Coverage would provide protection against traditional force majeure occurrences such as adverse weather and terrorism; but policies can also guard against recent event cancellation issues like civil commotion, national mourning, travel boycotts and bans, among others.The partnership will also include networking and educational opportunities across Destinations International's resources and tools. In today's climate, destinations of all sizes must be prepared for potential risks that may be out of a destination's control,” said Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International. “Aligning with the pre-eminent insurance broker and risk management firm in our industry, we are able to provide our members with an invaluable resource and tool.”

“Anderson Benson is dedicated to meeting the needs of Destinations International members and members' clients. Through our extensive experience and history in Event Cancellation insurance, we understand the risks and the needs of our clients continuously evolve. This Bespoke Destinations International Program will respond to the ever-changing environment through collaboration with its members,” said George Anderson, President of Anderson Benson. “We are very excited to work with Destinations International and its members with this new risk management resource.”

Organic and Natural Products Expo and Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry forge new strategic partnership

The Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo has announced its strategic partnership with the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry (AACCI), AACCI is a membership based, not-for-profit organization with a representative office in major Australian States. AACCI aims to engage, support and facilitate, two-way trade and investment opportunities for its members as well as build cross cultural awareness for business success.

The strategic partnership aims at recognising the importance of mutual collaboration to provide Australian exporters a platform to explore opportunities within the Organic and Natural landscape in the Middle East and beyond. This is mainly achieved through participation at the 3 day exhibition, year round digital marketing initiatives, listing of products through the Arabian Organics E-commerce portal and also through support in terms of certification, product registration, warehousing & logistics.

The Middle East Organic and Natural Product Expo Dubai is the Middle East’s sole business event that focuses on organic and natural products. The platform has been connecting suppliers with buyers for 20 years and is held under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment UAE. The show encompasses five natural market segments such as Food & Beverage, Health & Beauty, Living & Environment and is the largest gathering of bio products in the region and is regarded by the community to be the ideal place to source organic and natural products. The 21st edition is scheduled to take place between 12-14 December 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The Organic and Natural F&B market alone is said to be valued at $18.42 billion in the year 2022 growing at about 14.4% year on year since 2015. The growth is across sectors such as retail, wholesale and HoReCa. With the market brimming with opportunities, Australian products, services and trade are estimated to be in huge demand. The recently concluded 20th edition of the Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo, saw major participation from companies such as Australian Organic Meat, Australia’s Own & Intelligent health.

According to estimates, The UAE is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East. With $6.8 billion in two-way trade in 2020 (over $10 billion pre-COVID), the UAE is Australia’s 19th largest export market globally for goods and services with Food & Beverage occupying a major share and a growing demand for products from other categories.

“This partnership is an important step for Australian organic exporters to promote and explore opportunities in the organic landscape across the Middle East and beyond. This is the first formal cooperation between the two institutions. “added Mohamed Hage OAM, President & National Chairman, AACCI.

“We are very excited about this partnership and looking forward to working with AACCI. Through this partnership, we look to provide Australian businesses with Organic & Natural products an exclusive platform to showcase their products and services and meet with buyers from across the Middle East & Africa.” claimed Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Director, Middle East Organic & Natural Products Expo.