Re-Fresh Taiwan
From early on into the global crisis, Taiwan became aware of the changes required in order to entice associations once again to its shores. The global revolution our industry is undergoing was seen as a challenge by Taiwanese stakeholders, who decided to unite and forge a new ecosystem highlighting a fresh start after the pandemic subsides. The new project, called ‘Re-Fresh Taiwan’, represents this fresh start triggered by the pandemic.
In some detail, Taiwan’s governmental and non-governmental resources joined forces to improve knowledge and facilities for the events industry. Reinforced by the island’s advanced information technology and cultural vitality, a safer and more humane ecosystem is forming for business events. At the same time, the industry is being boosted by people and their compassion, which has jumpstarted more diverse services and cultural experiences for professionals around the world.
The Re-Fresh Taiwan project aims to promote Taiwan’s threefold advantages for associations and event organizers globally. The country is based on solid public security measures and a sound medical care system, which was evident throughout the pandemic and the fast effective ways of placing it under control. Secondly, Taiwan’s event organizers have taken advantage of this calmer period to receive further education and funding and upgrade their service offerings. Thirdly, among the forefront of the latest industry trends, Taiwan has accelerated its technological and digital services to facilitate a fresh model for Taiwan’s online exhibitions.
The Garden of Hope Foundation
Taiwan also practices social responsibility and industry creativity by holding a variety of meetings and events; many of which ensure a lasting legacy for society to build upon and convey a spirit that extends beyond strictly tourism.
One of this year’s winners of the Incredible Impacts Programme, a joint initiative by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance, was Taiwan’s The Garden of Hope Foundation. The non-profit advocates women’s rights, supports women’s shelter organizations, and combats violence against women, bringing awareness and aid to those in need. In line with inclusion as a means to a more humane future, Taiwan is proving to be on the right track.
As a host for the Fourth World Conference of Women’s Shelters (4WCWS) held in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, in November 2019, the organization managed to give voice for the first time to the Asian region as the conference was translated in several languages. In addition, topics and actions that included art as a tool for expression and healing, LGBTQ shelter management, and the introduction of lila.help (a central platform integrating support mechanisms around the world for victims of gender-based violence) ensured the conference’s long-lasting legacy on inclusion.
International Convention Center Tainan
The recipe to building a better future would not be complete without state-of-the-art facilities to house forward-thinking conferences, such as the one mentioned above. For this reason, Taiwan is benefiting from all that the city of Tainan has to offer and has invested in the construction of International Convention Center Tainan. Due to open in 2022, the new center will be able to host online and in-person events of all types within its 5.2 hectares.
With 10,692 m2 of column-free contiguous exhibit space, a capacity of up to 5,000 people, and 2,720 m2 of meeting space, including two ballrooms of 1,080 m2 and 810 m2, the venue will cater to all event needs. ICC Tainan is a 15-minute drive from the Tainan Airport, a 1.5-hour HSR ride from the Taipei Airport, and within easy walking distance of a hotel and outlet mall.
The 2022 Tainan Automatic Machinery & Intelligent Manufacturing Show (2022 CTMS Tainan) is already set to take place in the new venue, amplifying the city’s specialty in that sector. Tainan’s industrial clusters feature 15 different fields, including semiconductors, agriculture, and fishery—all are expected to benefit from the facility, especially as more relevant exhibitions and meetings will opt for the harbor city of Taiwan’s southwest.