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Medical Experts Breathe in Seoul

February 5, 2019

Medical Experts Breathe in Seoul

The upcoming 26th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR) in 2021 will be hosted in Seoul for the second time. Coex won the hosting rights after a successful bid from a joint committee led by the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) at the 23rd APSR in Taipei which was held from November 29 – Dec 2 last year.

The Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology is considered one of the most prestigious congresses in the Asia-Pacific region and is expected to draw some 3,000 medical, and related, professionals.

The successful bid was the culmination of months of preparation, with full support from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), and was up against bids from committees in China and Singapore.

Photo : Coex

 

 

February 4, 2019

How Relationships Underpin Success

Legacy is cemented in relationships. The way we learn from each other, relate to different experiences and viewpoints and interchange our philosophies, form the basis of humanity. Our position in the world becomes defined by our association to others. To our ancestors, our present circle and our imagined future selves. These connections, and their power to shape who we are, leave a significant indent in our life’s course – in our legacies.

Relationships have always been an important focus in the business world – it is critical when it comes to success. Understanding what the client wants and how to best deliver, supporting other workers to produce their best work and collaborating as a team, even with dividing opinions, is crucial. A final product often extends back to several layers of input – it is rare to accomplish something completely alone.

Shifting our perspective of legacy from one that is tangible to intangible has become increasingly common. Measuring events by financial success no longer holds such weight within society. It instead has become centered on the immaterial actions of organizations which impact the world and people around them. Holding a lens to how we create meaning in business is particularly pertinent in our fast-paced technological era. Focusing on relationships – both positive and negative – produces greater transparency, accountability and long-term success. It is a defining factor in the creation of a business.

Inspiring transformation

Former CEO and now Executive Chairman of Starbucks, Howard Shultz, powerfully spoke to this idea. He emphasised how authenticity inspires transformation: “In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart. They are real and sustainable. Their foundations are stronger because they are built with the strength of the human spirit.”

Examples of harnessing aspects of success outside financial liability are constant. McDonald’s, perhaps one of the biggest symbols for corporate greed in our Western world, has this year pledged to use renewable, recyclable or certified materials in all packaging worldwide by 2025. Last year, Google’s global operations became fully powered by renewable energy – and they became the world’s largest corporate buyer of renewable power. Tesla is skyrocketing in sales and support for their eco-friendly electric powered cars. Locally, the rise of companies like Keep Cup and Frank Green, which both sell reusable coffee cups, have risen based on our desire to help save the planet.

These decisions extend further than environmental impact as companies have long turned to making their products, and processes, ethical. Whilst the fashion industry is constantly gaining undesirable attention for its abuse of power when it comes to sustainability and ethical sourcing, global retailer H&M has redirected this negativity. They have committed to supply chain transparency by publishing an up-to-date list of suppliers’ names and addresses on their website each quarter.

Changing the legacy

Whilst these actions have been at the forefront of our decision making for a while now, it is still critical in highlighting the importance of relationships. Without hesitation it is easy to suggest that the purpose of business is financial success and stability. Turning focus towards aiding the environment and conducting ethical practice for example, despite its cost, thus becomes highly significant. Organizations are emphasising the connection they hold with their consumer, their partners and their global reach – and they are listening to how the world is changing. They are altering their course based on how we are responding. They are changing their legacy because of the intangible necessity relationships have towards their growth.

The full version of  this article,  provided by the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, authors Ruby Kraner-Tucci and Sarah Markey-Hamm from ICMS Pty Ltd, Australia (www.icms.com.au), will be available in the upcoming edition of Boardroom. info@iapco.org / www.iapco.org      

February 4, 2019

Fruitful 2018 for Darwin

Several events were hosted at the Darwin Convention Centre in 2018 with people from all over Australia and internationally meeting in Darwin to explore the Top End. The year was quite successful for the city as conference attendees reached high numbers.
The Property Council of Australia held its annual conference in Darwin from 12 to 14 September 2018. It brought together 760 property industry leaders to network and tackle the issues driving property development, investment and growth in Australia and around the world. The annual Rural Medicine Australia (RMA) Conference was held in Darwin from 24 to 27 October 2018. RMA is the peak national event for rural and remote doctors in Australia and internationally, which attracted 775 delegates.

The 46th biennial Ports Australia Conference was recently held at the Darwin Convention Centre as well as the 2018 Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place. The event provided inbound tour operators the opportunity to experience the Top End and enjoy some amazing pre and post conference experiences. ‘In 2016 we made the decision to move Meeting Place out of its Sydney base, a location where it had been held for 40 years and we can definitely say the move has proved to be highly successful’, said ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said.

Conference organisers are finding Darwin provides the perfect destination for delegates to connect and knowledge share. ‘I think there were a lot of new relationships and networks built out of the Darwin conference, which is one of the main reasons we do the event in the first place’, said Ports Australia’s Communication Director Mike Fairburn. And he continued: ‘I think the success came down to the vibe the centre set—how it allowed delegates to interact with each other and build relationships’.

 

Photo : Darwin Convention Centre

February 1, 2019

New Ambassadors Appointed for Brussels

visit.brussels recently awarded the title of destination ambassador to 18 partners who greatly contributed to publicising Brussels in 2018 and confirming its status as an international MICE destination. The 18 new ambassadors received their awards before academics, doctors, European commissioners, university rectors, chairs and directors of international associations established in Brussels, scientists, hospital directors and other partners.

Launched two years ago by visit.brussels, the aim behind this event was to bring new international events to Brussels by activating a network of professionals. In fact, local talents and experts are actively participating in projecting the Belgian capital internationally. In 2017, 757 meetings took place in the Belgian capital, which meant that Brussels was once again the first-placed city in Europe and placed second in the world for organising conferences (according to the annual report of the Union of International Associations).

January 31, 2019

New Director for MACEOS in Malaysia

The Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) announced the appointment of Ms. Ho Yoke Ping, as the new Executive Director (ED) of MACEOS, effective 1 January 2019. Ms. Ho or better known by the industry as Ping, is entrusted to inject her perspectives into the long-standing association of 29 years. Her role will entail enhancing the profile of MACEOS in the business events industry through strategic plans including communications, government relations as well as partnership and collaborations.

Having served the meetings, events and tourism industry for more than 20 years, Ping was also the founding team of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the nation’s authority in steering the country as Asia’s Business Events Hub.

Ping conveyed her excitement in joining the Association, that has been a crucial partner in her past organisation. “I have worked with MACEOS countless times previously and have a good understanding of where the Association wants to elevate for both itself and the industry. It is a crucial moment and important for MACEOS to continue to lead in communicating the value of business events to Malaysians and beyond. I am looking forward to contributing my insights and strategic visions to further position MACEOS as the voice,” she noted.

January 30, 2019

Copenhagen Scores Another Win in Sustainability

Copenhagen sets a new international standard for sustainable tourism as Wonderful Copenhagen, becomes the world’s first certified Green Tourism Organisation. The new Green Tourism Organizations certification has been established by HORESTA together with the NGO Danish Outdoor Council to support the destinations and organisations, that make an extra effort for sustainability. HORESTA was also part of creating the Green Key certificate 25 years ago, that has now spread to 55 countries and 2.900 tourism organisations.

To become certified, organisation will be assessed from around 140 different criteria including management, environmental considerations, requirements to the organisations’ use of utilities, but also in relation to the efforts of the organisation putting focus on sustainable tourism.

”We are really proud to be the first certified Green Tourism Organization. It’s close to our hearts for tourism in Copenhagen to contribute to sustainable development both locally and globally and contribute to UN’s 17 Sustainability Development Goals. Copenhagen is already amongst the most sustainable congress cities in the world and with this certification Wonderful Copenhagen makes good on our pledge to be leading by example,” says Kit Lykketoft, Director of Conventions at Wonderful Copenhagen.

January 29, 2019

New Year, New Brand Platform for BestCities

BestCities Global Alliance has kicked off 2019 by unveiling a new brand platform and an updated strategic plan as it approaches its 20th year in operation. The Global Alliance, which is made up of 12 leading cities for international conferences and business events – Berlin, Bogotá, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Houston, Madrid, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, and Vancouver – has announced the new brand platform solidifies the values, offerings and principles of the alliance.

The platform identifies a clear purpose for the organisation: ‘to harness the power of collaboration and community to create positive impact through business events’. The key principles of the BestCities brand platform are: mutual benefits from a good result for all included, making connections and sharing knowledge creates opportunities, continuous improvement and creating a positive and lasting impact.

International associations were consulted on the development of the brand platform, which was part of the alliance’s renewed 2019-2021 strategic plan. Other focus areas will continue to be: exceptional customer experiences; thought leadership; connecting a global community; and becoming a high performing organisation.

January 28, 2019

Vienna Brings AC Forum Back to its Roots

From January 17-19, 2019 Vienna played host to the European Associations & Conference Forum (AC Forum). The organisation’s General Assembly and Annual Meeting chose to celebrate its 20th anniversary in the Austrian capital, where it was founded in 1999, at the initiative of Vienna Tourist Board’s Vienna Convention Bureau in cooperation with various partners in the city.

The AC Forum now represents 32 scientific associations from nine countries. Its General Assembly and Annual Meeting are held in a different major European city each year. The 20th anniversary event set a new attendance record, attracting 138 representatives from its member associations.

Inspired by Fit for Future, the gathering gave participants a chance to compare notes on all the latest developments in the congress industry, talk about the use of new technology at large-scale conferences and discuss the association’s future direction. Events took place at Messe Wien, the Austria Center Vienna and Hotel Kempinski, with support from Austrian Airlines.

January 23, 2019

Cape Town: MBA World Summit 2018

Conferences and exhibitions drive industries, propel business and contribute significantly to global GDP. In South Africa, they contribute over R115 billion to national GDP. They are a transformative strategy for countries looking to boost their knowledge and creative economies.

In March 2018, the MBA World Summit was held in Philippi, the largest township in Cape Town, South Africa, where local entrepreneurs were partnered with international MBA students to help them grow their businesses through skills transfer and knowledge sharing. The MBA World Summit is a perfect example of how business events are the catalyst for large-scale socio-economic impacts, not only on tourism, but also on deal making, business transactions, training, research, development and education.

Read The Iceberg’s case study here.

January 23, 2019

Estonia Is Organising its Next Fam Trip

The Estonian Convention Bureau and the Estonian Tourist Board are inviting international meeting and event planners to an exclusive MEET ESTONIA fam trip, taking place from Tuesday, April 2nd to Thursday, April 4th (with optional post-tours extending to April 5th).

During the trip meeting planners will discover some of the country’s meeting venues and hotels, learn about all the social programmes and activities on offer and get to know key people in the Estonian MICE industry. Optional post-tours will take the planners to Tartu, which is Estonia’s university town and IT hub as well as the oldest city in Baltic states, among others.

Registration is open until January 27th 2019.