Mice Affairs Nov 2021 Issue by Mice Affairs Media Group India

NOV 2021 ISSUE

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Leading Global MICE Industry Magazine

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SINGAPORE:

REIMAGINING SAFE BUSINESS EVENTS As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19, health and safety remain top priorities for international business events. MICE professionals need to think progressively and reimagine their operations to accommodate different types of engagement. Singapore, consistently ranked as one of the most innovative countries globally by the likes of Bloomberg and INSEAD, is at the forefront of this evolution. The country’s MICE players are unafraid to test new ideas and reinvent event elements, whether physical or digital.

Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Photo credit: Marina Bay Sands

PUTTING HEALTH AND SAFETY AT THE FOREFRONT Singapore has demonstrated ingenuity in coming up with prototypes and protocols for a new era of events. Such innovations help maintain the highest standards of event safety without compromising the delegate meeting and networking experience. For instance, at TravelRevive, ‘meeting pods’ were outfitted with protective plexiglass shields designed to reduce droplet transmissions. Similarly, geospatial technology was used to power the Safe Event platform, which was trialled at the Geo Connect Asia conference to help enforce health and safety measures.

EVOLVING THE DIGITAL EVENT EXPERIENCE To future proof themselves amidst these extraordinary times, Singapore’s MICE venues have also strengthened their digital event offerings. Such technologies help to enhance and extend content delivery and engagement.

With bold ideas, Singapore’s MICE industry is reshaping the face of business events.

Marina Bay Sands’ hybrid event broadcast studio has been a game-changer, enabling multi-format sessions to come to life on a physical stage fitted with LED walls and hologram capabilities. Meanwhile, the SingapoReimagine MICE Virtual Show used livestreaming to bring leisure tours and masterclasses to overseas audiences. Plus, a virtual 3D tradeshow gave participants a platform to connect remotely with exhibitors. The Singapore story is one of reinvention, and the local MICE industry’s innovation mindset has enabled it to remain agile. With the country’s future-oriented initiatives, event organisers and delegates can have peace of mind when doing business in Singapore.

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CONTENTS

VOL 4 | ISSUE 3

VACATIONER CONFIDENCE IN GERMANY’S COVID-19 safety ascends as global travel is reignited Country ranks lowest in Contact: Runi Indraniinfection risk survey and more travellers are staying longer Marketing Communications Manager

Grand Hyatt Bali +62 361 77MCEC 1234 WINS BIG AT THE MEA AWARDS runi.indrani@hyatt.com CEIR 2021 CEIR INDEX REPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOW AVAILABLE

CROWNE PLAZA NEW DELHI ROHINI, a future ready MICE hotel

Reopening Thailand for MICE CCSA approves TCEB’s proposal for MICE events

GRAND HYATT GRAND HYATT BALI PARTICIPATES IN THE Business Opportunities CORPORATE CONNECTIONS EXPANDED AT FIRST SUSTAINABLE FOOD FESTIVAL IMEX AMERICA NEW CORPORATE FOCUS event joins Executive Meeting Forum to offer exclusive connections for corporate planners

ES IN THE FIRST SUSTAINABLE FOOD FESTIVAL

BALI PARTICIPATES IN THE FIRST SUSTAINABLE FOOD FESTIVAL

Taking off in Thailand The Sky is Yours!

michelin starred dining is back at le bristol Paris

Thailand Now Ready for International Business Opportunities

GIANLUCA BUONGIORNO, AIM GROUP: “The events market is experiencing a sharp restart. Major events back to in-person formats”

Exhibition Industry Prompt to Welcome Overseas Stakeholders

UFI Reconnects the Global Exhibition

Industry AN EVENING OF OPERA Face-to-Face in Rotterdam Introducing the Best of Left: Sustainable Food Festival set menu | Right: Chef’s GardenCulture at Grand Hyatt Bali Monegasque in India

Relevant images and video can be downloaded here.

strong brand DENPASAR (SEPTEMBER 2021) – From 27 September to 16Germany's October 2021, Grand Hyatt Bali will participate image supports recovery in the awareness on in the first-ever Sustainable Food Festival, initiated by Bali Hotel Association (BHA) to raise incoming tourism sustainable living, especially in tourism. Joined by 30 leading hotels in Bali, the festival allows each participant to showcase the innovative programmes it has been creating to shift to a more sustainable way of operating. et menu | Right: Chef’s Garden Grand Hyatt Bali and three-course lunch menus that adhere to the sustainable and fairParticipating hotels haveatprepared twoand video can be downloaded here. RNI Title Code UPENG/2018/75911 trade principles.

September to 16 October 2021, Grand Hyatt Bali will participate Editorial The Sustainable Food (BHA) Festival goes hand in hand with the Hyatt philosophy, “FoodMice thoughtfully sourced, Affairs is printed and published by iated by Bali HotelDisclaimer Association to raise the awareness on Sachin Manocha The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the carefully served.” This value is evident from how Grand Hyatt Bali strives to offer healthy choices to the d by 30 leading hotels in Bali, the festival allows each participant Sachin Manocha onguests behalf of Avighna Business authors and forumsuppliers, participants this magazineoptionsPublisher Editor or antibiotic-free, as been creating tovarious shift to a with more sustainable way ofin operating. by working together local supporting such as &organic identifying Promotionand Experts and printed at D 86 sector do not necessarily reflect thesustainable opinions,beliefs hree-course lunch menus that adhere to the andand fairoptions with a low-environmental impact. The festival’s requirements have been on the code201301 of conduct at 10 Noida and published at Lgf 51 wave viewpoints of Mice Affairs Team Members. The publisher

Associate Editorial

Grand Hyatt Bali for quite a while, for including organically grown items, silver using locally tower sec 18sourced Noida. does not accept any responsibility any errors encouraging of Ms.Anjali translation. Publisher disclaims liability for incidental oras ensuring that the seafood used Editor Sachin Manocha ingredients, respecting fair-trade principles, as well is certified sustainable n hand with the Hyatt philosophy, “Food thoughtfully sourced, Publisher & Editor consequential damages and assumes no responsibility and the poultry is free range. Furthermore, Grand Hyatt Bali also uses vegetables and herbs from its own ow Grand Hyatt Bali strives to any offer healthy choices to the or liability for loss or damage suffered by guests any person porting options such organic and identifying Chef’s Garden. as aas result of useorofantibiotic-free, the information provided in the Marketing Team

Published and Owned By: e festival’s requirements been onreserves the code conduct at or magazine.have The publisher theof rights to accept Avighna Business Promotion Experts, LGF 51 Mr.Raj Kumar g encouraging organically grown items, using locally sourced decline any editorial/advertising material. Acceptance Priced at IDR 160,000++ for a two-course menu and IDR 285,000++ for a three-course menu, guests can s well as ensuringofthat the seafood used is certified sustainable Wave Silver Tower Sec 18, Noida INDIA, any material whether editorial or advertising does not choose fromimply theuses eclectic selection, including salad, meat, cheese and more. At Grand Hyatt Bali, the Grand Hyatt Bali also vegetables and our herbs its own seafood,Web Support any endorsements from side.from We welcome www.miceaffairs.com ; Periodicity Quarterly

Sustainableletters Foodto Festival will not only. offer guests a delectable, responsibly sourced and prepared feast, but editor. All rights reserved Mr.B Pandey also fun activities that advertise the importance of sustainable lifestyle. Guests can partake in Sustainable menuPainting and IDR Workshop 285,000++ for three-course menu, guests byaTriple Eight Gallery on 26can September 2021, Eco Enzyme Workshop by Ketut Sudarwata salad, seafood, meat, cheese and more. At Grand Hyatt Bali, the from Eco Enzyme Nusantara and Soap for Hope Workshop by Yayasan Bali Life on 3 October 2021, and uests a delectable, responsibly sourced and prepared feast, but Leading Global MICE Leading Global MICEIndustry Industry Magazine www.miceaffairs.com MICE AFFAIRS www.miceaffairs.com 4 the MICE AFFAIRS | 113 Sustainable Workshop for Kids| at Kids Club on 3 and 10 October 2021. Magazine

nce of sustainable lifestyle. Guests can partake in Sustainable 26 September 2021, Eco Enzyme Workshop by Ketut Sudarwata Hope Workshop by Yayasan Bali Life on 3 October 2021, and

Editor's Note opening their borders for fully vaccinated travelers, 2022 seems to be the best bet for all segments of travel and MICE. On the exhibition front, UFI has organized 88th Global conference in physical format in Rotterdam. IEIA is coming up with the 10th Edition of Open Seminar in December. So in short Exhibitions led by Industry-focused conferences shall pave the way to a safe restart of exhibitions in days to come. At Mice Affairs Media Group, we have started a series of safe events with limited guests where MCL1.0 and MCL 2.0 events were organized inviting industry leaders. The next event is scheduled in November under Travel O Manthan series, which is being organized under the Trav Buzz News Banner.

Welcome

Readers

The festivities have rung the bell to the start of a positive era for the industry. The mega news of the month is WHO’s approval of Covaxin for emergency use. Made in India vaccine, which was long awaited by the larger quotum of Indians, who were still in disarray, finally got a favorable answer. Better late than never. Land of Smiles, Thailand has allowed India into the safe list of countries in second round, another news to jubilate. Starting 1st November , Thailand has officially announced welcoming international exhibitions to the nation. With countries slowly

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The 3rd edition of The MICE Conference Expo and Awards by Mice Affairs Media Group is already under process. Dates and Venue shall be announced shortly. Stay tuned to Mice Affairs on various channels for the announcement. This time its going to be exquisite, exemplary and estimable. We welcome national and international tourism along with MICE entities to join us for this matchless event, which we are sure, will set the stage to restart of MICE. The current issue contains global exhibition industry update, MICE Industry news and stories including exclusive content from Asia, Europe and US. We're really thankful to Paul Colston , Mash Media Group UK for sharing the key updates form UK market for our readership. We really hope you enjoy reading the content delivered through Mice Affairs Publication. Letters to the editors are welcome at sachin@miceaffairs. com Stay Safe and Healthy. Happy Festivities !

Sachin Manocha

Leading Global MICE Industry Magazine

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VACATIONER CONFIDENCE IN GERMANY’S COVID-19 SAFETY ASCENDS AS GLOBAL TRAVEL IS REIGNITED COUNTRY RANKS LOWEST IN INFECTION RISK SURVEY AND MORE TRAVELLERS ARE STAYING LONGER

nterna�onal tourists have lauded Germany’s COVID19 safety precau�ons with the country ranking lowest for risk of infec�on in a new survey, while more tourists are now staying in Germany for longer, according to new data.

IPK Interna�onal, a tourist market research specialist, asked travellers in 18 markets to rate COVID-19 infec�on risks. Overall named countries, Germany was recognised for its eﬀorts to keep tourists safe, ranking lowest for infec�on risk. Furthermore, a study conducted by Forward Keys, the global reference for business intelligence, tourism, and travel trends, found that tourists ﬂying into Germany are now booking longer stays, with the average length stay for June- July 2021 recorded as 16.7 days, compared with 10 days in 2019. The same study highlighted an increase in group bookings, with par�es of two or more people increasing from 64.5 to 75.1 per cent of bookings.

Indians have been longing for a holiday and with reopening of des�na�ons and easing of restric�ons, the upcoming Fes�ve Season (India’s second largest vaca�on period) presents a significant opportunity. With a clear intent to accelerate demand and catalyse bookings for Germany. The new findings reinforce efforts by the German Na�onal Tourist Board (GNTB) to a�ract tourists following the ease of travel restric�ons and meet a surge in demand for travel op�ons centred around wellbeing and sustainability. Earlier this year GNTB launched the ‘Feel Good’ and ‘German.Spa.Tradi�on’ campaigns to promote sustainable tourism and the plethora of spas for tourists. With pent up travel demand, posi�ve announcements on li�ing of restric�ons and Germany being reopened for Indians, customers are raring to travel said Romit Theophilus, Director for India, German Na�onal Tourist Office. The relaunch of tourism is in full swing. It is also clear that the places where safety can be guaranteed, and that are not overcrowded, will be the first to experience a post-pandemic travel boom. And that is the case within Germany. Germany began welcoming European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved, fully vaccinated travellers on 25 June. All travellers are advised to check individual German states entry requirements before travel.

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CEIR

2021 CEIR INDEX REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

he Center for Exhibi�on Industry Research (CEIR) released the 2021 CEIR Index Report, which analyzes the 2020 business-to-business (B2B) exhibi�on industry performance and provides an economic and exhibi�on industry forecast for the next three years. “The past 20 months have been a real struggle for the exhibi�on industry, and there remains a great deal of uncertainty,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM. “Exhibi�on organizers have demonstrated through health and safety measures that our events can be safely held. It is through data gathered for the Index that CEIR is able to generate economic impact ﬁgures related to the U.S. GDP. This economic impact of the exhibi�on industry is important for telling our story on the eﬀect of shows to the U.S. economy.” “The CEIR Index Report is absolutely essential to the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance’s (ECA) advocacy www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

Technology (IT) Medical and Health Care (MD) Raw Materials and Science (RM) Spor�ng Goods, Travel and Entertainment (ST) Transporta�on (TX) A forecast update of the CEIR Index Report was presented at the CEIR Predict conference held 13-14 September 2021 at the MGM Na�onal Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. This year’s conference focused on the impact of the The CEIR Index Report provides data COVID-19 pandemic on the on the U.S. B2B exhibi�on industry exhibi�on industry so far, as across 14 key sectors. As an objec�ve well as a post-pandemic outlook measure of the annual performance of and possible scenarios for the the exhibi�on industry, the CEIR Index next three years. Click here to measures year-over-year changes in watch a video of key insights four key metrics to determine overall from that presenta�on. performance: net square feet (NSF) of exhibit space sold; professional “In the baseline scenario, impact a�endance; number of exhibi�ng of COVID-19 diminishes and companies; and gross revenue. The 14 the exhibi�on industry should industry sectors are: see a drama�c rebound in 2022, exceeding 100% yearBusiness Services (BZ) -over-year increases in all 14 Consumer Goods and Services (CG) sectors, albeit from a low base Discre�onary Consumer Goods and in 2021,” said CEIR Economist Services (CS) Dr. Allen Shaw, Chief Economist Educa�on (ED) for Global Economic Consul�ng Food (FD) Associates, Inc. “By the end of Financial, Legal and Real Estate (FN) 2023, the exhibi�on industry Government (GV) is expected to fully recover. Building, Construc�on, Home and Nonetheless, performance by Repair (HM) sector will diverge depending Industrial/Heavy Machinery and on its secular (long-term) trends Finished Business Inputs (ID) and underlying macroeconomic Communica�ons and Informa�on condi�ons.” work in Washington, D.C. and nationwide,” added ECA Vice President of Government Affairs Tommy Goodwin. “Each year, the Index has the up-to-date data that we need to demonstrate to federal policymakers that the business-to-business exhibitions industry is an economic engine that drives jobs and commerce from coast to coast."

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CROWNE PLAZA NEW DELHI ROHINI,

A FUTURE READY MICE HOTEL

rowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, an upscale hotel brand of the Intercon�nental Hotels Group (IHG), is located in Asia's second largest sub city, Rohini. Its strategic loca�on and easy metro connec�vity makes it a preferred des�na�on for business and leisure travelers. Hotel ensures guests remain connected to the pulse of Delhi, and are in close proximity

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to shopping complexes, local entertainment a�rac�ons, educa�onal and health ins�tu�ons and leisure des�na�ons. The property comprises of 183 comfortable rooms featuring contemporary design, and modern facili�es for all guests to support their needs while they are travelling. Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini offers 51,000 sq.�.of banque�ng space. The hotel has 11 sophis�catedly designed break-out rooms catering to all kind events. The Magnificent banquets located on the Lower Ground floor comprise of two halls, Crystal (8771 Sq �) & Sapphire (7080 Sq �.) with a common pre func�on area (9146 Sq � ), which makes

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Contact: Runi Indrani Marketing Communications Manag Grand Hyatt Bali +62 361 77 1234 runi.indrani@hyatt.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAND HYATT BALI PART

the total flexible exhibi�on space up to 25000 Sq �, best suited for Expos and large to medium exhibi�ons. Not just this, the third floor also offers total conven�on space of another 25,000 Sq.Ft. split into mul�ple mee�ng venues. Also, High-tech facili�es matching global standards are offered for conferences and mee�ng venues here.

The property has been awarded as Best MICE hotel in Delhi NCR in year 2017 by India MICE awards and Best Luxury wedding and MICE Hotel in 2015 by India Hospitality Awards. Crowne Plaza New

Delhi Rohini and also has strongly grown amongst popular choices for conferences and events in the city.

The specialty of the brand is that it provides a dedicated Crowne Mee�ngs team to ensure a 2-hours response guarantee to all enquiries and to enable decisions without any delay. This team is specially-trained and sees that the mee�ngs run smoothly from start Left: Sustainable Food to finish. Our advanced technology Releva and updated design will elevate your mee�ng experience(SEPTEMBER and DENPASAR 2021) in the first-ever Sustainable Food F leave your a�endees inspired. living, especially in tour Our flexible sustainable spaces and variety to showcase the innovative program of catering op�ons can be Participating hotels have prepared t customized trade to fit the goals of your principles. mee�ng, and daily budget debriefs The the Sustainable Food will ensure that guest stays on Festival go carefully served.” This value is evid target.

by working together with local supp options with a low-environmental i Grand Hyatt Bali for quite a while ingredients, respecting fair-trade pr and the poultry is free range. Furt Chef’s Garden.

Priced at IDR 160,000++ for a two choose from the eclectic selection, Sustainable Food Festival will not o also fun activities that advertise th Painting Workshop by Triple Eight G from Eco Enzyme Nusantara and Sustainable Workshop for Kids at th

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CORPORATE CONNECTIONS EXPANDED AT IMEX AMERICA NEW NEW CORPORATE CORPORATEFOCUS FOCUS EVENT JOINS MEETING Forum FORUMtoTO OFFER EVENT JOINSEXECUTIVE Executive Meeting EXCLUSIVE CONNECTIONS PLANNERS offer exclusive connectionsFOR for CORPORATE corporate planners

orporate mee�ng planners now have extended opportuni�es to connect and share experiences during IMEX America this November. Two exclusive events will be held at the show which takes place 9 – 11 November in Las Vegas. Execu�ve Mee�ng Forum is an invite-only summit for senior-level corporate execu�ves from Fortune 2000 companies and – new for this year – is Corporate Focus, open to corporate planners at all levels. Taking place on Smart Monday, powered by MPI, on 8 November both sessions will enable in-depth discussions on current issues

Terri Breining

and challenges such as team management, mee�ng design, eﬀec�ve communica�on with remote workers, and mental health and wellness. Mee�ngs industry veteran and skilled facilitator Terri Breining will lead the Execu�ve Mee�ng Forum and Anne�e Gregg, Senior Vice President, Experience at MPI will lead the new Corporate Focus. The format of both sessions will be geared towards social learning, encouraging a�endees to share and exchange ideas in an informal yet private environment.

Annette Gregg

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, explains: “While the business events sector is one whole community, the needs of specific groups within this community are quite dis�nct and corporate planners are no excep�on. “We’ve expanded our offerings for corporate planners this year with the launch of Corporate Focus alongside Executive Meeting Forum. Both sessions have collaboration at their heart, offering the opportunity

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to share views and solve problems with professionals and peers from corporations across the world.” The Inspira�on Hub, home to the show ﬂoor educa�on, con�nues the corporate planner conversa�on during the show with a learning session: A corporate conversa�on: Purposeful recovery of the events industry. Bob Bejan, Corporate Vice President, Global Events, Produc�on Studios & Marke�ng Community, Microso� and Nicola Kastner, VP, Global Head of Event Marke�ng Strategy at SAP will share their experiences of moving through digital and physical events, the decisions and uses of hybrid mee�ngs, the changed expecta�ons and needs of event par�cipants and the implica�ons for event design. Corporate buyers account for 22 per cent of the 3,000 buyers currently registered to a�end IMEX America. Execu�ve Mee�ng Forum is invite-only for senior-level corporate execu�ves from Fortune 2000 companies. Corporate Focus is open to corporate planners at all levels. They both take place at IMEX America on Smart Monday powered by MPI, on 8 November. www.miceaffairs.com MICE AFFAIRS | 117

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MICHELIN STARRED DINING IS BACK AT LE BRISTOL PARIS

Le Bristol, Oetker Collection’s Palace hotel in AINABLE Paris, FOODwill FESTIVAL soon re-open the doors to its two

Michelin-starred restaurants, 114 Faubourg (1 star) and Epicure (3 stars), welcoming travellers and Parisians to rediscover Executive Chef Eric Frechon’s signature ES IN THE FIRST SUSTAINABLE FOOD FESTIVAL menus presented with highly attentive service in opulent surroundings.

ndian summer in Paris promises to reignite the gourmet appe�te because on Monday August 29th, Le Bristol will begin to reintroduce its complete gastronomic oﬀering with the opening of its Michelin starred brasserie 114 Faubourg en at Grand Hyatt Bali for (lunch and dinner). The restaurant’s relaxed and d here. jovial atmosphere will once again be ﬁlled with discerning 21, Grand Hyatt Bali will participate diners catching up over beau�ful plates of Execu�ve Chef n (BHA) to raise the awareness onking crab, duck pâté with foie gras and Eric Frechon’s famous the festival allows each participant hand-chopped steak tartare — French classics prepared with set menu | Right: way of operating. Garden at Grand Hyatt Bali more sustainable a delicate twist. and video cansustainable be downloaded here. adhere to the and fair-

Eric Frechon, Execu�ve Chef at Le Bristol comments, “My teams and I have been dreaming about reopening for several months and we can’t wait for 114 Faubourg’s and Epicure to be back again beginning this autumn. Exceeding our guests’ expecta�ons has always been our main accomplishment. The reopening of our restaurants will truly be a celebra�on of both crea�vity and tradi�on, delivered one hear�ully cra�ed dish at a �me.”

October 1stGrand comesHyatt the date foodparticipate lovers across 7 SeptemberOn to Friday 16 October 2021, Bali will ophy, thoughtfully sourced, tiated “Food by Bali Hotel Association (BHA) to raise the awareness on Paris and beyond have been wai�ng for: the reopening offer healthy choices tointhe guests ed by 30 leading hotels Bali, the festival allows each participant of triple and Michelin starred Epicure. Eric Frechon’s divinely c or antibiotic-free, identifying as been creating to shift to a more sustainable way of operating. decadent truﬄe macaroni with gras, his and impeccable e been on the code of conduct at hree-course lunch menus that adhere to thefoie sustainable fairown items,caviar usingde locally sourced Sologne and his spectacular bladder poached afood used is certified sustainable egetables andthe herbs its own “Food thoughtfully sourced, n hand with Hyattfrom philosophy, Bress farm hen will make their long-awaited return to ow Grand Hyatt Bali strives to offer healthy choices to the guests Epicure’s exquisite nightly dinner service, to be savoured porting options such as organic or antibiotic-free, and identifying the delicate wine pairings imagined Head Sommelier a three-course menu, guests can e festival’s with requirements have been on the code ofby conduct at and more. At Grand Hyatt Bali, the Bernard Neveu. grown items, using locally sourced g encouraging organically ly sourced and feast, but as well as ensuring that the seafood is certified sustainable The prepared delicious return of Leused Bristol’s star-studded restaurants Guests can partake in Sustainable Grand Hyatt Bali also uses vegetables and herbs from its will be accompanied by a totally new take on theown sweet me Workshop by Ketut Sudarwata side thanks to the recent arrival of the hotel’s new Head Bali Life on 3 October 2021, and Pastry Chef Pascal 114 Faubourg’s and can Epicure’s menu and IDR 285,000++ for Hainigue. a three-course menu, guests salad, seafood, meat, cheese andﬁrst more. At Pascal Grand Hainigue’s Hyatt Bali, the reopening will be the �me guests a delectable, responsibly sourced dessert and prepared feast, but on the imagina�ve and picturesque crea�ons appear nce of sustainable lifestyle. Guests can partake in Sustainable restaurants’ menus. 26 September 2021, Eco Enzyme Workshop by Ketut Sudarwata Hope Workshop by Yayasan Bali Life on 3 October 2021, and ub on 3 and 10 October 2021. Leading MICE Industry Magazine Leading Global MICE Industry Magazine www.miceaffairs.com LeadingGlobal Global MICE Industry Magazine www.miceaffairs.com MICE AFFAIRS | 12

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Gianluca Buongiorno, AIM Group: “The events market is experiencing a sharp restart. Major events back to in-person formats” The last part of the year is marked by a packed congress calendar at AIM Group with 35 major events involving +15.000 par�cipants. This intense ac�vity involves all event types. A posi�ve sign for all the Group and a signal of the eventual restart for the en�re industry. The last part of the year is proving to be a real restart period for AIM Group Interna�onal, with a sharp reboot of in-person events including many interna�onal conferences with large audiences. From the end of August to December, AIM Group is managing 35 major events (with more than 100 par�cipants) involving about 15.000 par�cipants overall. All event types are involved: associa�on and corporate mee�ngs (pharma and non-pharma), CME courses, DMC ac�vi�es and incen�ve travels (even from overseas). These events are taking place in virtual, but more o�en in hybrid format, with large in-person a�endance. “We are experiencing an enthusias�c response to in-person events from associa�on and corporate clients and from the delegates, happy to leave for a trip, meet their interna�onal colleagues face to face, exchange ideas, chat freely and strengthen new rela�onships in a safe environment” outlines Gianluca Buongiorno, President AIM Group Interna�onal. “Safety is a major concern, all the protec�ve and preventa�ve measures are put in place, and we no�ce that delegates feel very comfortable and conﬁdent and are quickly ge�ng used to a new normality”. Major events have been successful organised www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com MICE AFFAIRS | 12

such as the European ESOT Congress 2021 which brought together 1.200 delegates for an in person in Milan joined by 1.400 delegates online (read the full press release). The Cibus Interna�onal Food Fair in Parma, the General Assembly and Scien�fic Symposium (GASS) of the Interna�onal Union of Radio Science are other significant conferences planned across Europe: (Austria, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, etc.). Another upcoming event is even an incen�ve group from Mexico to Portugal. “We are really excited about these results. Our ability to support clients making important decisions in a very difficult context, our capacity to change and to adapt with flexibility, our promptness and availability have meant that we have maintained long-term client rela�onships and acquired new clients and events. Since the pandemic, we have experimented with our clients and helped them pivot to new solu�ons, formats and technologies. We have had some stunning results, for example the SIAARTI ICare tour or FIMP House were recently recognised with interna�onal innova�on awards (read the full ar�cle)” con�nues Buongiorno.

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Buongiorno Gianluca

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“Now, at AIM Group, we have an obsession: making events happen successfully, ensuring that par�cipants are safe, engaged and sa�sfied, and maintaining those changes as we embark on the path to the new normal. Faced with our new reali�es, we are commi�ed to complete the transforma�on and push it forward, towards a new way of designing events and suppor�ng clients. It is all about persistence because a�er we geared up for the ini�al phase, now the challenge is to fulfil the en�re process, despite the difficul�es. We are sure that the recovery of the events industry and its new face and iden�ty will emerge only if we don’t let go of our obsession with making it happen” concludes Gianluca Buongiorno.

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AN EVENING OF OPERA

Introducing the Best of Monegasque Culture in India The Principality is full of places and cultural events of all kinds, from operas and concerts, including the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, museums and exhibi�ons; culture is in all its forms in Monaco! For more than a century, Monte-Carlo has been an aspira�onal symbol of luxury and glamour. With a prime focus on exploring the magne�c heritage and culture of this seaside Mediterranean landscape; this special event accentuated the perfect balance between history, art, modernity and luxury. Visit Monaco – India oﬃce, recently organised

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an evening of the Opera to embark upon a cultural journey that showcased the essence of Monaco’s glamourous Opera culture for the ﬁrst �me in India. Connec�ng the culture of both the countries, the beau�ful evening was a mix of French Opera�c Arias and Indian melodies and the intertwining of these musical cultures found a voice in one of the youngest millennial Indian origin Opera and Art Singer – Ms. Pallavi Seth, who was accompanied by Mr. Birraj Singh Taneja on the Piano.

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Inspired by the beau�ful and glamorous culture of Monaco, Ms. Seth said, “I look forward to the opportunity

of performing on the stage of Opera de Monte-Carlo. For a performer, that is a stage one would want to be on”. Located only few steps away from the Hotel de Paris and the Casino Square, the Opera of Monaco was inaugurated in 1879 as the jewel of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Opera is also known as the Salle Empire; was built by the famous architect Charles Garnier. The awe-inspiring auditorium of the opera house is decorated in red and gold and art and sculptures. Glance up at the fresco-lined ceiling and you’re guaranteed to be blown away – the décor here is ﬂamboyant yet elegant. The “Terraces of the Opera de Monte-Carlo” have welcomed the most pres�gious and historic events of the Principality, which con�nues to put Monaco, at the top of the global events calendar. The venue also hosts the Monte-Carlo Jazz Fes�val which a�racts big names to play on its stage every November. Grabbing a show during your visit here is a guaranteed highlight.

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The special evening concluded with a musical extravaganza at The Imperial, New Delhi. The event saw the crème de la crème of Delhi’s social circle over wine and cheese. By way of this special collabora�on, Visit Monaco is proud to introduce the Art of Opera Singing in India, and further dreams to open more avenues of this grand experience to be embedded in Bollywood and theatrical industry of India. Monaco has indeed become a rich and lively pla�orm for all the arts, so let yourself be mesmerized by the inspired and inspiring Principality, cradled by culture!

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CWT Appoints Global Leader of Innovation Business Development

WT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management pla�orm, has appointed Joel Hanson as Senior Director of Global Innova�on Business Development. In this leadership role within CWT’s Global Supply Chain Partners team, Joel will serve as the steward for CWT’s innova�on process and will be responsible for incuba�ng, building and delivering industry-leading products and services to op�mize CWT’s client and their traveler’s end-to-end travel experience.

Based in Minneapolis and repor�ng into Vince Chirico, SVP Global Supply Chain Partners, Joel is a CWT veteran, having joined the company as Global Senior Writer before spending the last six years as the company’s Senior Product Incuba�on Manager. Over the last two years, Joel has spearheaded the launch of CWT Guest Services worldwide which has enabled clients to effortlessly handle non-profiled travelers and was pivotal in the conceptualiza�on and successful launch of CWT AnalytIQs, a pioneering tool for today’s travel managers to track and forecast spend. “I’m thrilled to have Joel at the helm of global innova�on business development,” Vince Chirico, SVP Global Supply Chain Partners commented. “With the travel industry in recovery, CWT con�nues to evolve its cu�ng-edge solu�ons and innova�ons to empower our clients and their travelers. Joel was an obvious candidate to fill this posi�on, with his customer-centric mindset and innate capability to perceive and pioneer proprietary innova�ons that truly enable CWT to simplify business travel for its customers.” www.miceaffairs.com MICE AFFAIRS | 16 18

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CEIR Announces 2021 Second Quarter Results B2B Exhibition Industry Improved in Q2 2021 The Center for Exhibi�on Industry Research (CEIR) reports that the U.S. business-to-business (B2B) exhibi�ons industry improved signiﬁcantly in the second quarter of 2021 from the previous four quarters as cancella�on rates of the physical events dropped to 66.5% from 90.4% in the ﬁrst quarter 2021. About 98% of exhibi�ons were cancelled during the second half of 2020.

completed events in Q2 improved from Q1 even though all metrics s�ll posted sharp declines from 2019. A�endees suﬀered the largest fall of 48.8%, followed by Real Revenues plunging by 47.3%. Exhibitors decreased 31.6% whereas Net Square Feet (NSF) tumbled 17.9% from the second quarter of 2019.

As a result of fewer cancella�ons, the CEIR Total Index, a measure of exhibi�on industry performance, improved from a decline of about 94% from 2019 in Q1 2021 to a decline of 79.1% from 2019 in Q2 2021. The performance of the U.S. economy was far be�er, registering a moderate 2.0% increase in real (infla�on-adjusted) GDP from Q2 2019. It increased at an annual rate of 6.6% from the previous quarter, a�ributable to increases in personal consump�on expenditures, nonresiden�al fixed investment, exports, and state and local government spending that were partly offset by increases in imports and decreases in private inventory investment, residen�al fixed investment and federal government spending.

Q2 2021 CEIR Metrics for the Overall Exhibition Industry Excluding Cancellations, % Change from Q2 2019

Real GDP vs. CEIR Total Index, Q1 2020 - Q2 2021, % Change from 2019 Among cancelled events in Q2 2021, 82% of events pivoted to produce digital events, compared to 75% in Q1 2021. All events held in the second quarter of 2020 cancelled, making comparison of Q2 2021 performance results to Q2 2020 results not possible. Thus, completed events in the second quarter of 2021 are compared with those in the second quarter of 2019. Excluding cancelled events, the Total Index for completed events in Q2 2021 dropped by 37.6% from 2019 (Figure 2), compared to a decline of 54.5% from 2019 in Q1 2021. All exhibi�on metrics for

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The U.S. economy has been growing since May 2020. With a sharp rebound in the third quarter of 2020 and a con�nued recovery through the second quarter of 2021, real GDP in Q2 2021 exceeded its peak in the fourth quarter of 2019 by 0.8%. Delta infec�ons have dampened economic ac�vi�es during the third quarter of 2021. However, Johns Hopkins’ COVID-19 data shows that the seven-day moving average of new cases appears to have passed the recent peak. In a sweeping a�empt to contain the latest surge of COVID-19, on 9 September, President Joe Biden imposed stringent new vaccine rules on federal workers, health care staﬀ and large employers with 100 or more employees. The new requirements could apply to as many as 100 million Americans, close to two-thirds of the American workforce. Furthermore, many large gathering venues require proof of vaccina�ons or nega�ve COVID-19 tests.

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signals Thailand’s re-opening and extraordinary destinations for events It is an extraordinary experience to meet Thailand at IT&CMA and CTW 2021.

Thailand Conven�on and Exhibi�on Bureau (TCEB) in partnership with Thailand Incen�ve and Conven�on Associa�on (TICA) is leading 20 Thai exhibitors to present their best offer. The exhibitors are all from the des�na�ons having been opened or set to open soon, while it is the first �me that representa�ves of all 10 Thai MICE ci�es, led by TCEB’s 4 regional offices, will be present to showcase their appeal and unique products. It is Thailand’s widest choice of des�na�ons ever offered at IT&CMA and CTW, which will underpin TCEB’s campaign “Thailand: Redefine Your Business

Events - Experience the Extraordinary” The 20 exhibitors are 15 hotels, 1 conven�on center and 4 des�na�on management companies from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pa�aya, Phuket and Khao Lak. The 10 MICE ci�es comprise, apart from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pa�aya, Phuket and Khon Kaen, new comers like Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Songkhla, Surat Thani and Phitsanulok. The des�na�ons represented this year is signiﬁcant for they are the strongest signal yet of the re-opening of Thailand for interna�onal travel.

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Phuket re-opened in July under a “Phuket Sandbox” framework, while Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi, Prachuab Kirikhan (including Hua Hin), and Chonburi (including Pa�aya) are set, according the government’s plan, to follow suit in weeks to come. This means full vaccinated travellers from overseas should soon be able to enter Thailand via any of these gateway ci�es. Details of the plan are expected very soon. TCEB President Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, said: “I have no doubt Phuket Sandbox and its extension to more nearby ci�es, the government’s planned reopening of more ci�es soon and TCEB-led presence of all 10 Thai MICE ci�es will be welcome news to a�endees of IT&CMA. TCEB and the Thai Team will again be present to reaﬃrm Thailand’s excep�onal appeal and reconnect with friends and colleagues from all over.

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HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE IN UPCOMING MEGA RESTART ISSUE OF MICE AFFAIRS We will once again invite the world to ‘Experience the Extraordinary’ – by discovering anew our des�na�ons, the business opportuni�es, and our MICE exper�se, a result of our intensive development ini�a�ves when the situa�on is not permi�ng overseas travel. It has been an extraordinary year for us and we are delighted to be back. We will con�nue to champion the cause of business events and work with partners local and overseas to uphold Thailand’s dis�nc�on for MICE.” The “Phuket Sandbox” has also been a factor. Since its launch on July 1 un�l September 22, 2021, a total of 35,437 overseas travellers and 540,490 booked room nights were recorded. For vaccinated travellers, “Phuket Sandbox” has been extended to a more ﬂexible “Phuket Sandbox 7+7” that allows for quaran�ne-free travel to the neighbouring provinces of Krabi, Phang-nga and Surat Thani (Samui) a�er a seven- day stay in Phuket. As of September 22, the vaccina�on rate among Phuket residents has reached 84% (two doses). Since September 1, the Thai government has been easing restric�ons on travel and group ac�vi�es. The domes�c ﬂights in and out of Bangkok are restar�ng opera�on, while gatherings of up to 25 persons in Bangkok and up to 100 in Phuket are now allowed. Dining-in, foot massage and beauty salon services have also resumed.

Several infrastructure projects that will facilitate MICE have also been completed recently: the subway connec�on to the historic quarter of Bangkok’s Chinatown, and the electric commuter train service linking Don Mueang Airport and the new Bang Sue Grand Sta�on. The Queen Sirikit Na�onal Conven�on Center (QSNCC) has also conﬁrmed its reopening in September 2022 when the revamp currently underway to boost its total area to 280,000 sqm is completed. An encouraging development is that TCEB’s MICE Venue Hygiene Guidelines has now been widely accepted by MICE entrepreneurs and venue operators. Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health recognises MICE as a key economic ac�vity and has supported TCEB in the promo�on of a coordinated na�onal hygiene policy. The posi�oning of Thailand’s MICE Ci�es and the development of new products and new routes under TCEB’s Thailand 7 MICE Magniﬁcen

List of participating Thai MICE Cities and Thai exhibitors at IT&CMA and CTW 2021

Bangkok Chiang Mai Khon Kaen Nakhon Ratchasima Pattaya Phitsanulok Phuket Songkhla Surat Thani Udon Thani Anantara Chiang Mai Resort Angsana Laguna Phuket Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit Dusit Thani Pattaya Events Travel Asia – ETA Journey to Asia JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort &Spa Lancaster Bangkok Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok Millennium Hilton Bangkok Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) Rama Gardens Hotel

Bangkok Redfox Event Royal Cliff Hotels Group Royal Paragon Hall Stream Events Asia The Landmark Bangkok The Nature Phuket Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA)

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CONFEX RALLIES UK EVENTS INDUSTRY FOR AUTMN COMEBACK By PAUL COLSTON, Managing Editor Conference & Meetings World and Exhibition World

T 2021.

he UK events sector bounced back with a bang on 1 September at the industry’s own ﬂagship trade show at ExCeL London, Interna�onal Confex

The show was again a rallying point for an industry that has been ba�ered over the previous 18 months of the pandemic. Exhibitors, visitors and speakers travelled to ExCeL London for the two-day event mee�ng once again in person, examining new products and doing deals. There was plenty of content and professional educa�on, too, with five stages on the show floor. Confex was also the last show to take place before the pandemic lockdown in the UK, in March 2020, so the symbolism was clear. Although all health and safety measures were observed, with visitors having to prove vaccina�on status and/or a nega�ve test result, there was a definite feel that things were beginning to normalise. What we do have now is 18 months’ experience of ‘virtual’ events to draw on for our future hybrid models that should offer us the best of both worlds. On the exhibi�on side it is clear nothing in the virtual world has come close to replica�ng the live show floor trade fair experience, and with ‘Zoom fa�gue’ and the failure of large-scale virtual events, as well as a reminder of what we’ve been missing, the restric�ons of digital have really been exposed. Digital events simply don’t scratch our itch for human interac�on. Where organisers are perhaps s�ll feeling the strain, however, is in overcoming the con�nuing lack of interna�onal a�endees at

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our UK shows (as indeed in other countries) due to travel restric�ons. At least September has seen movement from the Bri�sh government in terms of more countries being moved onto preferen�al lists for accep�ng travellers without the need to quaran�ne. As Covid vaccina�on levels increase, (and four out of ﬁve adults in the UK are now fully vaccinated), these lists should gradually increase.

Paul Colston

ISSUE OF CONFIDENCE Alongside the issue of travel and interna�onal visitors and delegate numbers, runs the issue of a general need for reassurance. The UK Government also acted in August to outline details of its £750m Live Events Reinsurance Scheme which oﬀers cost indemniﬁca�on if an event has to be cancelled, postponed, relocated or abandoned due to UK Civil Authority restric�ons in response to Covid-19. The scheme will run to 30 September 2022 with a review point in Spring next year. Cover will be available for event operators to purchase through par�cipa�ng insurers which include Arch, Beazley, Dale, Hiscox and Munich Re. All live events including music fes�vals, conferences and business events are eligible for the cover, which will be available alongside standard commercial events insurance. Green pledge UK event profssinals are now also readying to host the planet’s big poli�cal gathering – COP26 - to help push forward the global sustainability agenda as poli�cians are urged to put some real meat on the bone a�er all the talk in Paris in 2015 about targets and inten�ons of saving the planet.

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HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE IN UPCOMING MEGA RESTART ISSUE OF MICE AFFAIRS The launch of a new global ini�a�ve – Net Zero Carbon Events – is therefore �mely and a�empts to connect the events industry globally to the rapidly growing movement towards net zero by 2050. This ini�a�ve is hosted by the Joint Mee�ngs Industry Council (JMIC) and has enjoyed key input from UFI, the global associa�on of the exhibi�on industry. The objec�ve is to have a pledge ready for COP26 in November 2021, when world leaders meet in Glasgow to present how their countries will achieve the 50% reduc�on in GHG emissions by 2030. All interested par�es are invited to join this journey at https://netzerocarbonevents.org. The aim is to grow this ini�a�ve that represents the events industry as a whole and provide a collabora�ve commitment all can act on.

MODA, Jewellery & Watch and Fashion, ABTT Theatre Show, PLASA, Blockchain Expo Global, Specialty & Fine Food, AI & Big Data Expo Global, and Cyber Security Global. Had you checked the exhibi�on calendar a few months ago, you would have seen virtual tumbleweed ﬂoa�ng across a scene of cancelled business. Now, we can barely contain one week’s events in a single paragraph.

thing, it’s that we can never be certain what tomorrow holds, but for now, we can look forward to orde books ﬁlling up again. From all the press releases that pour into my inbox daily I can see that business is back and venues are taking bookings again. I am a�ending my second event of the week in person today, as I write.

The UK government’s furlough scheme, which kept many people in jobs, paying companies 70% percentage of their employees’ salaries, is now tapering oﬀ and the challenge is to keep people in the

NEW LAUNCHES

James Rees, JMIC president and executive director of conferences and events at ExCeL London, has said: “Events drive industries and societies. They shape conversations, foster innovation and generate business. They are key to human collaboration. This holds true for every subject – including sustainability and climate change. The events industry has a special role to play in tackling climate change. We provide the meeting places and market places to work on solutions to the climate crisis. At the same time, we have a responsibility to minimise our impact on climate change. We are inviting organisations from across the events industry – venues, organisers, exhibitors and suppliers – to join this collaborative effort to drive the events sector towards net zero.”

SCHEDULE FULL TO BURSTING As we turned our gaze back towards the show ﬂoor for the autumn in the UK, there was an impressive queue of exhibi�ons delivering and reconnec�ng with their markets in the ﬁrst week of September alone, including: Autumn Fair,

industry and ﬁll all the roles that will need ﬁlling soon. Those roles have changed of course and our events industry will be compe�ng with other sectors for the brightest and the best.

One of Britain’s main media outlets, News UK, is clearly conﬁdent in the future of events and recently launched News Live, a standalone events business that will develop face-to-face, branded experiences as well as managing the media group’s exis�ng events por�olios. The new division will have a core team of 22 and a por�olio of events including the Times+ series, RunFestRun, the CEO Summit, The Sun’s Who Cares Wins and The Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. Evidence indeed of faith in our business model. The events market has been changed, perhaps forever, by the experience of the last couple of years but there is s�ll a huge opportunity here for brands and for media businesses who can understand and leverage the new ecosystem.

Surely our industry is among the most resilient. It certainly was among the worst hit, and if the coronavirus couldn’t put the exhibi�on industry down and out, then it is diﬃcult to see what will. If the pandemic has taught us one

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FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES RECOGNIZED FINOLHU BAA ATOLL MALDIVES RECOGNIZED

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WITH CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 2021 READERS’ WITH CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 2021 READERS’ The launch of a new global ini�a�ve – Net Zero Carbon Events – is therefore �mely and a�empts to connect the events industry globally to the rapidly growing movement towards net zero by 2050. This ini�a�ve is hosted by the Joint Mee�ngs Industry Council (JMIC) and has enjoyed key input from UFI, the global associa�on of the exhibi�on industry.

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The objec�ve is to have a pledge ready for COP26 in November 2021, when world leaders meet in Glasgow to present how their countries will achieve the 50% reduc�on in GHG emissions by 2030.

The World’s™ Best Hotels, Resorts, Destinations, Spas, Trains, Car The UK government’s furlough The World’s™ Best Hotels, Resorts, Destinations, Spas, Trains, Car scheme, which kept many people Rentals, Luggage,Airlines, Airports, and Cruises Travelers interestedRanked par�es are invited toby join this in jobs, paying companies 70% Rentals, Luggage,Airlines, Airports, and Alljourney Cruises Ranked by Travelers at https://netzerocarbonevents.org. percentage of their employees’

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The aim is to grow this ini�a�ve that represents the events industry as a whole and provide a collabora�ve commitment all can act on.

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most resilient. It certainly was among the worst hit, and if the coronavirus couldn’t put the exhibi�on industry down and out, then it is diﬃcult to see what will. If the pandemic has taught us one

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TAAI INITIATES MOU WITH SLAITO

TO PROMOTE TOURISM BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES

ri Lanka has been India’s close partner for facilita�ng bilateral tourism. Post covid, Sri Lanka is amongst the ﬁrst country to open tourism for fully vaccinated travellers from India, for which the en�re travel fraternity of India is very pleased. Most eagerly awaited events of the Travel & Tourism industry TAAI Conclaves & Conven�ons (Indian Travel Congress) have been so far the biggest pla�orm to bring the global travel trade industry together. TAAI does these events all over the world, including India. TAAI has �ll 2018 organized 65 Annual Conven�ons in diﬀerent parts of the globe & many conclaves, including the most recent this year in Kevadia, Gujarat. TAAI is exploring to work very closely with Sri Lanka for more than these ini�a�ves. TAAI which is the leader associa�on of India, ini�ated signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sri Lanka Associa�on of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).

While signing the MoU, Jyoti Mayal, President said that TAAI has had strong and frui�ul rela�ons with the Sri Lankan travel trade partners & especially SLAITO for many decades. ‘I am glad to share that post Covid 19, we are once again working in a collabora�ve manner to explore promo�on of tourism amongst our countries & explore opportuni�es to organize TAAI Conclave www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

or its Annual Conven�on in Sri Lanka. Both India & Sri Lanka are rich in its diverse culture & history and with a common goal SLAITO welcomed our sugges�on to collaborate. We are looking forward to visi�ng Colombo to ﬁnalize more details.’ Jay Bha�a, Vice President sharing the details of the MoU said that SLAITO will undertake to liaise with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promo�on Bureau, Ministry of Tourism, City Hotels associa�ons and other logis�cal support

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to the event which would promote revival of tourism. TAAI on its part will arrange publicity and promote among its members & all its publica�ons including the electronic media, not only the event but Sri Lanka as a safe, leisure & MICE des�na�on, added Be�aiah Lokesh, Honorary Secretary General. Shreeram Patel, Honorary Treasurer thanked SLAITO for agreeing to take tourism to its next level by signing the MoU with TAAI, which would not only give conﬁdence to the traveler but also bring out correct procedures at the TAAI conclave or conven�on.

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GERMANY REMOVES INDIA FROM Germany no longer considers India a country with significantly elevated risk of infection- Requirements for Entry: travellers must either show that they are fully vaccinated, fully recovered, or have tested negative prior to departure

“The German Government has lifted all travel restrictions for persons residing in India, effective Sunday, September 19, 2021. Travel to Germany for all purposes is permitted again from India. However, a proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19, or negative test result is still required for entry.”

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All Indian travellers 12 years and older who are entering the Federal Republic of Germany must either show that they are fully vaccinated or fully recovered or have tested nega�ve prior to departure. Travelers who received all the required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine cited on the website of the Paul Ehrlich Ins�tute are considered fully vaccinated. A period of at least 14 days must have elapsed since receiving the last vaccine dose. Persons vaccinated with Covaxin or any other vaccine which is not recognised by the Paul Ehrlich Ins�tute have to carry a nega�ve PCR test report which is not older than 72 hours on entry in Germany.

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HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR SPACE IN UPCOMING MEGA RESTART ISSUE OF MICE AFFAIRS Any person entering Germany by plane, regardless of whether they have spent �me in a risk or high incidence area, must provide the airline with a nega�ve test result, a vaccina�on cer�ﬁcate or a recovery cer�ﬁcate. Vaccinated travellers must addi�onally show no relevant symptoms. Travelers who can prove they were previously infected with COVID through a posi�ve PCR test, taken at least 28 days but no more than six months prior, and who show no relevant symptoms are considered to be fully recovered. Travelers who are neither fully vaccinated nor fully recovered must con�nue to present a nega�ve COVID test prior to departure. Both PCR tests and rapid an�gen tests are accepted.

If travellers are vaccinated in India with Covishield, please note that the vaccina�on cer�ﬁcate must contain the passport number or date of birth. Reference to Aadhar number is not suﬃcient. A list of approved rapid an�gen tests that meet the requirements of the Robert Koch Ins�tute for entry can be found here. The PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering Germany; the rapid an�gen test, no more than 48 hours. Travellers who have visited a high-risk area or area of variant of concern in the last ten days must register at https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de/#/ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of registra�on with them upon entry.

“With the border opening to Indian visitors ahead of the travel period is vital for the tourism and we anticipate Germany being recognised as a go to travel destination this year,” said Romit Theophilus, Director for India, German National Tourist Oﬃce. “During the past few months, we have been working closely with our travel partners across the region to ensure Germany remains top of mind once borders reopen.” “Germany has a wealth of ac�vi�es for interna�onal travellers, from spa and wellness breaks, and nature trails through forests, to city-based culinary experiences and cultural explora�ons across mul�ple regions,” Theophilus added. With over a third of Germany covered in woodlands and forests, travellers can enjoy a plethora of outdoor ac�vi�es, including hiking through the Black Forest in Baden-Baden, taking in the views of Neuschwanstein Castle (which inspired the famous Disney castle), or strolling through the Bavarian Forest Na�onal Park. www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

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REOPENING ROADMAP FOR REGIONAL BUSINESS EVENTS REAFFIRMED BY ASEAN AND GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS LEADERS IN SINGAPORE Supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and co-organised by Singapore Associa�on for Conven�on & Exhibi�on Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), Associa�on of Event Organisers (AEO), Society for Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and UFI, the Global Associa�on of the Exhibi�on Industry, the JLS convened regional government representa�ves, major global organisers and trade associa�on leaders on an ac�on plan for the safe reopening of the business events industry in the region.

he launch of the Asia CEO Summit in Singapore will support the development and reinvigora�on of the region’s exhibi�ons industry

A reopening roadmap for the region’s business events industry has been charted and reaﬃrmed by ASEAN leaders and Global Exhibi�ons Organisers, who met face-to-face at the Joint Leadership Summit (JLS) of AEO / SACEOS / SISO / UFI – Singapore at the Fullerton Hotel on 5-7 October 2021.

As Southeast Asia con�nues its reopening journey, there has never been a greater need for clear steps in bringing back the core purpose and value of exhibi�ons as vital economic drivers and a sustainable way of promo�ng and accelera�ng global commerce.

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They discussed the cri�cal need to re-open inter- and intra-regional travel routes while ensuring the health and safety of travellers as core policy measures. These are the founda�ons and assurances that business events organisers need to commit their resources and investments into the restart of events across the region. Accordingly, the leaders are calling on the authori�es to put into place clear policy ini�a�ves and common opera�ng protocols across the region to be calibrated for a Covid-endemic environment. To support the industry’s evolu�on through a Covid-endemic opera�ng environment, the event also saw the launch of the Asia CEO Summit, an annual dialogue for the exhibi�on industry to review the regional business environment and chart the next course of ac�on and collabora�on for the be�erment of the industry. The inaugural Summit will take place from 4-6 October 2022 at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. Singapore Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by AEO, SACEOS, SISO, UFI and Singapore Tourism Board. The MOU showcases the commitment to revitalise the regional exhibi�ons industry and strengthens Singapore’s long-standing posi�on as a safe and trusted Global Asia hub for business events.

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Aloysius Arlando, President, SACEOS said: “The reopening of our MICE and Events industry requires a global effort and commitment by public and private sector players. As we continue on our journey towards an Endemic Covid-19 world, it is now time for us to bring back the core purpose of business events – driving commerce. We are delighted that regional leaders and global industry partners have come together to chart a practical roadmap towards the reopening of business events. And the launch of the Asia CEO Summit in 2022 gives added momentum to the restart of inter and intra-regional business and MICE travel. This will be vital in rebuilding our communities and economies.” Mary Larkin, UFI Immediate Past President & President of Diversified Communications USA said: “We are on our way to recovery. We came together as a united industry during the Joint Association Leadership Summit to advocate for the reopening of business travel and events in APAC so as to revitalise the incredible international marketplaces that come together here. “With our experience in the US, Europe, and Middle East, we were able to demonstrate the safety protocols and reopening successes we have had in many regions, and to share that it can be adapted and implemented throughout ASEAN. We did lament

not being joined by our colleagues from the APAC region, like UFI President Anbu Varathan and our next UFI President, Monica Lee-Müller, because of unaligned travel policies, but we are heartened by the strong roadmap in place for restar�ng the industry.

“We have always recognised the importance of the Asia event market, and how we need a forum to bring together global leaders in the industry, to share and exchange ideas about opportuni�es in the ASEAN market. AEO, SISO, and UFI all run annual CEO summits, and these are key mee�ng places for us as an industry, and a ﬁxture in all of our calendars – but we were missing a cri�cal gathering in Asia.”

“Most cri�cally, what was abundantly clear from this week’s dialogue is that our customers need events. Businesses, especially SMEs, rely on events. The economy is bolstered by events. There are no other channels where businesses are able to accomplish so much, so quickly, and we have seen �me and again in regions where events are restar�ng that business is recovering faster and innova�on is pushing forward.”

Carina Bauer, AEO Chair, and CEO of IMEX Group said: “Reconnec�ng face to face with the colleagues from across the world during the AEO, SISO, SACEOS, UFI Joint Associa�on Leadership Summit, over the last few days has provided strong evidence to support, and a real reminder of, the power of face-to-face events. Many leaders had not met, or indeed travelled, since February 2020, and we are grateful to SACEOS and STB for enabling this leadership summit to take place.

Quote from Hervé Sedky, SISO Chair, President & CEO of Emerald said: “We have been working on putting this event together for over three years, and the global leaders in attendance at the Joint Association Leadership Summit this week in Singapore, along with others who were not able to join, have put in a substantial effort into making this happen – this is a significant moment. www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

“Sharing experiences of how other regions have restarted their event sectors, in a safe and controlled manner, has been hugely valuable, and the roadmap we have proposed during the summit we hope provides the framework to support the safe reopening and restar�ng of the APAC events sector which is cri�cal to economic recovery. We very much look forward to returning to Singapore, for the inaugural Asia CEO Summit in October 2022, to further this dialogue, and enhance collabora�on across both the region and our respec�ve associa�ons.”

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HONG KONG EXHIBITION & CONVENTION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WELCOMES GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION INDUSTRY SUBSIDY SCHEME AND TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF ANNOUNCED IN 2021 POLICY ADDRESS The Hong Kong Exhibi�on & Conven�on Industry Associa�on (“HKECIA”) welcomes the latest HKSAR Government’s Policy Address recognizing that the conven�on and exhibi�on industry is crucial to Hong Kong as an interna�onal trade centre, and announcing the further extension of the Conven�on and Exhibi�on Industry Subsidy Scheme (“Scheme”) for six months to December 31, 2022, in response to demand from the conven�on and exhibi�on industry. Part of the Scheme's funding will also be allocated to provide a one-off immediate relief measure to private organisers of exhibi�ons with a clear track record of being held in Hong Kong to help them cope with the impact of the prolonged postponement or cancella�on of exhibi�ons under the pandemic. Private organisers of exhibi�ons which were held at the Hong Kong Conven�on and Exhibi�on Centre or AsiaWorld-Expo in at least any five calendar years from 2015 to 2021 may apply for the one-off immediate relief measure from the Government via the venue operators on or before November 30, 2021. The amount of the immediate relief

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will be equivalent to 20% of the average annual rental of the relevant exhibi�ons, subject to a cap of HK$1 million (US$128,500) per event. Applica�on guidelines and forms have been uploaded onto the website of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (www.cedb.gov.hk/en/industries/conven�on-and-exhibi�on.html).

Mr Stuart Bailey, Chairman of the HKECIA, said, “The HKECIA welcomes government’s additional relief measures, in response to demand from our industry. The convention and exhibition industry has been in deep water since February 2020 as no international event was able to be held in Hong Kong due to travel restrictions and preventive measures. Only small-scale consumer exhibitions resumed. The further extension of the Scheme and the one-off immediate relief fund are timely relief measures for the industry, helping ease financial burdens on the convention and exhibition organisers who can therefore get ready for the industry revival.

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We continue to call on the government to provide a road map for the relaxation of quarantine measures for international business travellers so that the industry can stage large scale events again. Without a proper plan in place some trade exhibitions will leave Hong Kong and then no amount of assistance will be enough to save the industry,” Mr Bailey stressed.

The government launched the Conven�on and Exhibi�on Industry Subsidy Scheme with a total commitment of HK$1.07 billion (US$137.5 million) to render much-needed support to the conven�on and exhibi�on industry. HK$620 million (US$79.7 million) out of the HK$1,070 million (US$137.5 million) Scheme subsidises private organisers of exhibi�ons and interna�onal conven�ons held at the Hong Kong Conven�on and Exhibi�on Centre and AsiaWorld-Expo 100% of the venue rental. The Scheme has been extended twice since it was launched on 3 October 2020.

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Jamaica Tourist Board partners with TRAC Representations for WORLD EXPO 2020

amaica is set to showcase its newest innova�ons and products at the World Expo 2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The theme of the Jamaica Pavilion at the World Expo 2020 is: “Jamaica Makes it Move “implying that whether it is the music or the food or sports, Jamaica moves and connects the world.

It was important to have Jamaica represented at this global expo to showcase once again the island’s rich culture and beautiful natural resources. Participants at World Expo will get a taste of the destination and understand why we are the Heartbeat of the World,” said Donovan White, Director of

Tourism for Jamaica.

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The Pavilion has a live music studio which spotlights some of the most iconic Jamaican musicians, ar�sts and producers; where people can listen to Jamaican music, create their own playlist and catch a vibe of the vibrant island while savouring the authen�c and tradi�onal dishes from some of the top Jamaican Chefs using special blends of herbs and spices. Another unique highlight is a Naviga�on App, to access the virtual tour and explore Jamaica as a tourist des�na�on. The Dubai expo which was earlier scheduled to take place last year will now take place from October 01, 2021 and will go on un�l March 31, 2022. The event was postponed because of the outbreak of Covid-19 across the world. Expo 2020 is the ﬁrst to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and it is geared at facilita�ng a global dialogue, bringing to life the main theme of “Connec�ng minds, crea�ng the future.” The World Expo is expected to a�ract 25 million visits over the 6-month period.

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Exclusive- QSNCC REOPENING PLAN UNVEILED

New QSNCC Plan for “MICE AFFAIRS” Exclusive Conversation with Mice Affairs Media Group

The Queen Sirikit National Conventional Center (QSNCC), a leading player in the MICE industry in Thailand, had hosted thousands of national and international events for almost 30 years since the World Bank Annual Meeting in 1991. In 2019, QSNCC was temporary closed down for remodelling and it has recently announced to reopen in September 2022 with the vision to be “The Ultimate Inspiring World Class Event Platform for All”. After three and a half year of major remodelling and the investment budget of 500 million USD, the new QSNCC will be five times larger than its predecessor. The new venue space of 280,000 sq.m will comprise a total event space of 78,500 sq.m which include two main exhibition halls with over 45,000 sq.m, two large conference halls with around 10,000 sq.m plus additional 50 more flexible meeting rooms. Its accessibility to the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) and the 2,700 indoor parking spaces make the QSNCC the most convenient center in CBD. Frasers Property (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a leading integrated real estate platform with multi-asset class expertise, was appointed as a developer of new QSNCC. With its strong global www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

network and high experience, the new QSNCC will definitely be pressed forward and be on schedule. The soon-to-be-launched QSNCC in September 2022 has recently been opened for booking and have received positive responses. Informa Market Thailand, the worlds leading market-making company, has put a trust on QSNCC by confirming six international events which will be held just right after its opening in September 2022. The six leading events are ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week, Pumps and Valves Asia, Thai Water Expo, Tissue & Paper Bangkok and Food & Hotel Thailand. This confirmation is a good sign for the exhibition industry and we are very positive on a strong future for events in 2023.

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EXPERIENCE GENUINE MALDIVIAN SOUL WITH FINOLHU BAA ATOLL’S NEW ROOHU PERSONALIZED SERVICE FOR THE TWO-BEDROOM VILLAS

The two-bedroom villas at Finolhu Baa Atoll will have an added experience through the resort’s new “Roohu” personalised service. Translated from the local Maldivian Dhivehi language, “roohu” means “soul” - a word that perfectly represents the warm welcome and attentive hospitality for which the Maldivian people are renowned for. The sentiment perfectly encapsulates Finolhu’s new Roohu personalised service which provides an exclusive professional lifestyle management experience for guests at the resort’s two-bedroom water villas with pool, the two-bedroom beach pool villas and the resort’s amazing two-bedroom Rockstar Villas at Finolhu. From the second they arrive, these guests will be met and greeted by their individual Roohu Hosts. After conducting a personalised

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check-in for the guests and confirming any special preferences, dietary requirements, and requested dining set-ups for the stay, the Roohu Host will then provide a full island orientation tour to their guests. To help the guests settle in to their villa quickly and seamlessly, the Roohu Host will assist with unpacking and arrangements of the guests’ personal belongings, and will be on call 24/7 to suggest and plan their guests’ daily tailor-made itinerary on specific days or for the entire holiday, according to the guests’ preferences. This October 2021, unwind in peace and seclusion at the two-bedroom villas at Finolhu Baa Atoll’s tropical island paradise setting; indulge in great food and amazing activities, and experience the undeniable warmth Maldivian soul with the resort’s new Roohu personalised service.

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WEDDING MADE EASY Call Now www.miceaffairs.com www.miceaffairs.com

WEDDING MANAGEMENT TEAM OF RISHTAMAKERS WEDDING PLANNING MANAGEMENT DESTINATION WEDDING SPECIALIST

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IHG HOTELS & RESORTS DEBUTS Ho l i day I n n Ex p ress b rand in Jaipur THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO BUILD ON ITS GROWTH MOMENTUM IN INDIA BY STRATEGICALLY EXPANDING THE BRAND PORTFOLIO ACROSS KEY CITIES both for domestic and international travellers. It is an integral part of the Golden Triangle, a prominent tourist circuit connecting the national capital Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and is also a preferred wedding destination in India. Furthermore, the city houses numerous industries and is considered as the economic capital of Rajasthan. With the new signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh, the city will now have three IHG hotels between Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, catering to varied guest profiles.

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with notable real estate developer, Dinesh Kumar Choudhary (HUF) for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh located at Gopalpura Byepass, in the capital of Rajasthan. The brownfield hotel featuring 141 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023. Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and one of the most popular leisure destinations,

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be located on the Gopalpura Bypass road, at a convenient 15-minute drive from the airport. The hotel will also be at a short driving distance from the city centre, business district, tourist attractions, as well as key dining and shopping destinations. With excellent visibility and access, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will provide a convenient stay experience to both business and leisure travellers. The newly signed hotel will feature well-appointed modern guest rooms and all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay experience. The hotel will also have the brand’s signature ‘Great Room’, ‘Small Bar’, a specialty restaurant and a lounge to relax and unwind. Other essential facilities will include a fitness

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room, and meeting spaces for business and social gatherings. Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Jaipur and solidify our presence in the state of Rajasthan. With a rich culture, history and cuisine, Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. With diverse guest profiles visiting the city, there is an increasing need for mainstream accommodation, and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be a great choice for travellers looking for a simple and engaging hotel stay experience. He added: this new signing is also in line with our strategy to expand our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets in India and further strengthen our mainstream presence in the country, in line with market demands.”

Mr. Dinesh Kumar Choudhary, Head of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally and domestically known and trusted hospitality brand like IHG. With a combination of an excellent location, the power of IHG’s distribution system, strong loyalty programme and expertise in the hospitality segment, we are

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confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will emerge as a popular choice amongst the travellers visiting Jaipur.” Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-expanding hotel brand. It is designed for the smart travellers who are looking for a simple, yet engaging place to reconnect and refresh. IHG® currently has 41 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 50 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years.

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Reopen i ng Thai land for MICE

CCSA approves TCEB’s proposal for MICE events

he Center of Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Thailand’s government’s body overseeing disease control measures and COVID-19 policies, has approved TCEB’s proposal to allow MICE events to be held under “COVID Free Setting” protocols, effective October 16. The approval follows the government’s announcement on October 11 that fully-vaccinated overseas visitors will be allowed to enter Thailand without having to serve quarantine from November 1. The reopening will begin with a list of countries the CCSA considers low-risk, such as the US, UK, China, Germany and Singapore. Also announced were shortened curfew hours, fewer provinces categorised as maximum controlled and strict zone where stringent controls are mandatory for gatherings, and allowing domestic flights to operate at full capacity. The approval of TCEB’s MICE proposal was the result of the collaboration between TCEB, Department of Health, Department of Disease Control of The Ministry of Public Health, and 23 partner organisations, such as Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Thai Exhibition Association, Business Creative and Event Management Association, and Thai Hotels Association. With the green light, organisers of meetings, trade fairs, and festivals can now proceed to plan events with more attendees that will stimulate the broader economy. Under TCEB’s proposal, limits on a venue’s operating hours and number of attendees will be relaxed. Trade fair centres, convention centres, exhibition halls, and event spaces in hotels and department stores will be allowed to operate until 22.00 hrs. in all cities and provinces. The number of attendees allowed will depend on the event site’s risk level. There are five levels – maximum controlled and strict zone (highest risk),maximum controlled zone, controlled zone, high surveillance MICE AFFAIRS | 38

zone, and surveillance zone (lowest risk). For maximum controlled and strict zone, the number of attendees allowed has been raised from 25 to 50; for maximum controlled zone, from 50 to 100; for controlled zone, from 100 to 200; and for high surveillance zone, from 200 to 300. However, for surveillance zone, the number has been maintained at 500. This easing of restrictions will require venues and organisers to strictly follow a set of three “COVID Free Setting” protocols covering the event environment, personnel, and customers: COVID Free Environment requires attention to hygiene at every touch point, availability of hand wash stations and hand sanitisers, individual servings of all foods and beverages, screening of organisers and staff, pre-event and onsite communication on safety measures, a risk and emergency management plan, social distancing of at least one metre and at least 4 sqm for each attendee, a limit of two hours per meeting session, and good air ventilation. COVID Free Personnel requires organisers and venues to deploy only fully-vaccinated staff with a screening and risk record.

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Staff must undergo self-test with Antigen Test Kit (ATK) and test negative no more than 72 hours prior to reporting for work. Gathering while on duty and during breaks are prohibited. Operation zones must be clearly designated and cross-zone operations must be avoided. COVID Free Customer requires an examination of an attendee’s risk profile and proof of full vaccination. The attendee must strictly follow

“DMHTA” – distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, temperature testing, download of Thai Chana application. Additionally, attendees must keep watch of any possible COVID-19 symptoms during attendance and post-event for at least 14 days. To organise an event, the organiser must first develop a plan based on “COVID Free Setting”, produce an emergency plan and select a venue certified with SHA+ and TMVS Plus 2HY. The plan must then be submitted for review by the communicable disease committee of the

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) stated that “TCEB’s proposal incorporating “COVID Free Setting” is the first step towards reviving MICE in Thailand. The next step would be for TCEB and its partners to push for further easing, especially for larger size events.”

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city where the event will be held. If the committee requires any adjustments, the organiser must comply. The implementation of “COVID Free Setting” will be randomly inspected by officers from the city’s public health authorities or communicable disease committee. After event, the organiser must submit a report to the city’s communicable disease committee and safekeep the record of attendees for at least 14 days.

Mr. Chiruit added that TCEB’s proposal is to unlock cities to host events by implementing a high standard of safety. The last quarter of the year is usually a peak period for Thailand’s MICE industry and the proposal is expected to benefit around 1,000 wait-listed events in Bangkok and other cities. With the go-ahead by CCSA, TCEB’s proposal will pave the way for a broad spectrum of stakeholders such as venues, hotels, transport operators, restaurants, and other related businesses to kick- start their operations, which will in turn stimulate the local economy and facilitate income distribution throughout the country. However, the implementation of TCEB’s proposal is subject to the trajectory of the COVID situation and TCEB and its partners are prepared to recalibrate the industry’s response to stay on course to re-open Thailand for MICE.

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GERMANY'S STRONG BRAND IMAGE SUPPORTS RECOVERY IN INCOMING TOURISM

Germany ranks No. 1 in the Nation Brands Index for the fifth time in succession -top rating also for the most pressing global issues various market research results confirm successful recovery strategy

ermany's tourism industry can once again report a significant increase in international demand. This corresponds directly with the latest studies on Germany's global brand image. This is the result of recent analyses by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Site Minder's World Hotel Index, for example, registers a share of foreign guests in bookings of German hotels of 30.8 percent across 400 global hotel booking channels for October 2021. According to this, the incoming share on these reservation channels has reached the pre-crisis level again. At the same time, the world's leading market research company Ipsos announced today that Germany has once again taken the top spot in the renowned Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI) 2021. It is followed in second and third place by Canada (70.64 points) and Japan (70.52 points). Since 2008, Germany has always ranked among the TOP 3 in the NBI, and in 2021 it is in first place for the seventh time.

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Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said, "The latest news demonstrates the direct link between Germany's excellent reputation, growing willingness to travel in our source markets, our countercyclical marketing activities and a successful recovery strategy for restarting incoming tourism, as well as positioning Germany as a travel destination in the increasingly fierce competition among destinations." NBI confirms first place for Germany’s brand image in global comparison In the overall NBI 2021 ranking, Germany received 71.06 points, 1.94 more than the previous year and also the highest average score measured in the history of the NBI.

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COMPAM E D 2021 Around 500 exh i bitors a re on the way back to normal ity together i n Düsseldorf

onsequences of the pandemic, supply bottlenecks, the Medical Device Regulation and a multitude of innovations all result in an agenda full of exciting topics After COMPAMED, the international leading event for suppliers of medical technology, could only be held digitally due to the pandemic last year, it will now be held in-person again at Messe Düsseldorf from 15 to 18 November, at its fixed runtime in parallel with the

world leading medical trade fair MEDICA. Almost 500 registrations from exhibitors prove that there is a high level of interest from medical technology suppliers, which is a huge step towards reaching normality again. In accordance with the hybrid event concept, significant programme components such as the COMPAMED HIGH-TECH FORUM from the IVAM International Microtechnology Business Network which specifically focuses on the microtechnology and nanotechnology sectors and the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS’ FORUM from

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Devicemed, which covers the entire development and production sector in medical technology, will be offered as both online (as a live stream) and in-person events which can be accessed by purchasing the relevant ticket. In contrast to the previous years, COMPAMED will be held in Halls 13 and 14 this year (instead of Halls 8a and 8b). By moving the event to new halls, Messe Düsseldorf is meeting the wishes of the federal state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, namely to ensure that they can continue to use the north area of the trade fair centre for activities in conjunction with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

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Thailand Now Ready for International Business Opportunities EXHIBITION INDUSTRY PROMPT TO WELCOME OVERSEAS STAKEHOLDERS

MRS. NICHAPA YOSWEE, Senior Vice President – Business, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

e prepared to stay competitive in this lucrative market post-pandemic, in which you would be connected with over 660-million potential buyers in ASEAN through Thailand as a main gateway, and get supported with our wellrounded programs for your ease of doing business and new opportunities of success.

entire population are expected with two doses by end 2021. Relatively, we are going beyond the vaccination roll-out, and are working on the continuous boosting plan.

Starting on this 1 st November, Thailand has officially reopened. Travellers from every corner of the world will be allowed to enter Thailand with or without quarantine based on their vaccination status and countries of departure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the Head of the “Operation Centre for Measures on the Entry into and Departure from the Kingdom, and Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad” has recently issued a notification on the list of countries and territories permitted to enter the Kingdom of Thailand, quarantine exempted, starting with up to 63 destinations. This list is, of course, to be extended in this coming December and January, respectively. Upon our vaccination performance, Thailand is ranked world’s top 10 fastest countries administering shots. Up to 50 million of Thais, or about 70% of the

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Ensure Your Right Decisions with Our Long-term Strategic Directions

s a policy maker, a strategic partner and a national bidder, we, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), can ensure your decisions have been made right by providing our 3-step approach towards the continuous and assertive supports to Thailand’s exhibition ecosystem under “Build,” “Broaden” and “Boost up” campaigns. Especially for international show organizers, since June 2021 until now, we have been building strong foundation for the industry by providing support packages and subventions for your shows so that you can run business confidently and smoothly. Furthermore, we are sharpening our focus on broadening business opportunities for both Thai entrepreneurs and overseas partners by strengthening collaboration with other government agencies and more city destinations in bringing in and hosting trade shows. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) as the government’s designated and strategic area for 12 key industries investment is the prime location for our “Thailand LOG-IN Next” project where we are working closely with related government bodies and local authorities to welcome potential events, especially in the logistics and infrastructure sector as one of EEC’s focused industries post- COVID. The highlighted show in our “Thailand LOG-IN Next” project is “Thailand

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International Air Show” – Thailand’s first and foremost international aviation and logistics show, hosted by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) and U-Tapao International Aviation Co., Ltd. (UTA). This event intentionally aims to support the aviation hub plan and to correspond to strong growth of air travel demand, especially in Southeast Asia and the growing community of aero-parts as well as maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) sectors. Strategically, this biennial show will be announced in 2023, soft-launched in 2025, and on stage as a full-scale show from 2027. From this November onwards, we will be boosting up industry performance to another height as a business recovery plan by attracting more international trade shows to Thailand. At this stage, we also put efforts with our “World ICONIC Campaign” as part of the “One Ministry, One Expo” to create trusted partnership between international organizers and professional local exhibition stakeholders. The post-COVID focused industries as our FY2022 priorities are medical, food, digital sectors, just to name a few.

Gear up at Full Speed towards Your Success with Our Full-scale Supports

ur subventions have been timely designed and made ready for your execution, responding to the challenges of the situation with comprehensive coverage or 360- degree supports for the whole journey of your shows. Firstly, our “New Show Essentials” campaign helps kick-start your events with financial subsidy for these sub-support programs: preliminary research, show pitching, site inspection as well as marketing and public relations activities. The “New Show/ Existing Show” campaign with “Exhibition New Norm” support is the next step to welcome trade shows of all sizes from 800 square meters with fundamental incentive plus an extra subsidy for onsite implementation of health and safety protocols. Realistically, this support is catered for physical and hybrid events with virtual space of up to 20 per cent. Should you wish to expand your market territory into the EEC zone where an investment uptrend is witnessed, even more in- cash and in-kind supports would be injected ie. financial subsidies, government facilitation, tax break, import privileges, hospitality package and local public relation service by the host city.

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Exhibitor-wise, the “Exhibiz in Market” scheme will physically attract more international pavilions with a total exhibit area of 250 square meters into your shows, through our monetary support directly to pavilion leaders. Meanwhile, visitor-wise, potential buyers as trade delegations of at least 10 persons per group from India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and across ASEAN countries can enjoy our “ASEAN+6 Privilege” campaign with financial subsidy upon your participation in international exhibitions in Thailand. And to be perfectly adaptive to the ever-changing situations amid travel restrictions, we now provide our support to both in-person and online attendees. By this means, your connections to the industries are made easy, and get even more facilitated.

Grab Your In-coming Opportunities with Our Incubation Program

o enhance your business opportunities and success, local partnership with high professionalism is ultimately imperative. Recently, we have debuted our incubation program and business training called “EO: Pro League” with an aim to upskill and reskill as well as to develop talent and expertise of Thai exhibition stakeholders in preparation for future collaboration with international show organizers wishing to stage events in Thailand as the gateway to ASEAN market. This project is jointly organized by TCEB and Thai Exhibition Association (TEA), and neutrally opens to all stakeholders with international business plans and high potentiality to become co-organizers, show managers or project managers with overseas organizers. Through a series of theoretical and practical training as well as business presentations, participants from the very first step at “EO: Pro Arena” would pass to the next stage which is “EO: Pro League,” then through real show portfolios, successful participants would proceed further to “EO: Pro Index” and be included in the recommended list for further international collaboration. MICE AFFAIRS | 44

Compete Your New Normal Challenges with Our Comprehensive Innovations

n order to promote a safer business environment for both local and international organizers, and to further facilitate the resumption and continuous momentum of exhibition industry in Thailand, we have introduced “MICE Venue Hygiene Guideline” developed by TCEB and our partner associations and approved by the Ministry of Public Health, which consists of relevant standard operating procedures (SOP) to be adopted into practice on exhibition floors, in line with the national public health measures. Our “2HY” (Hybrid and Hygiene) project also ensures that your hybrid events are strictly organized alongside hygiene regulations, resulting in safer COVID-free manners. Moreover, to facilitate show organizers especially for hybrid events, a set of attractive innovations have been created to cater to digital needs in new normal era. The “MICE Winnovation” with supporting fund for innovative technology sourcing is initiated to leverage capability and efficiency in organizing MICE events. It consists of “MICE Innovation Catalog” – an online platform compiling digital innovation and technology providers known as “Tech Entrepreneurs” to offer solutions, resolutions and development in the MICE industry for pre-show, onsite and post-show activities. Currently, there are up to 70 solutions from 50 tech entrepreneurs for customers to pick and choose. Next is “Technomart” – a business-inducing activity to encourage trade opportunities and to showcase tech entrepreneurs’ capabilities through the “Business Matching” service in which they can make portfolio presentation to stakeholders and future business partners nationwide. The “Inno-Voucher” – a smart tool to promote tech entrepreneur service via online MICE Innovation Catalog. This is another subsidy of ours in the form of vouchers. Besides, stakeholders can request for support for MICE event development by “Hero Technology Voucher” which emphasizes on Virtual/ hybrid event solutions as well as Cloud management and AI application strongly recommended for mega events. Lastly, “Digital Literacy

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for MICE” – an activity to welcome knowledge exchange on innovation and technology trending between MICE industry professionals and experts through online/ offline seminars, workshops and podcasts featuring MICE industry fundamentals to digital marketing knowhow for business development. Reportedly, this year, up to 25 events have been listed for support by TCEB’s digital innovations. Besides, TCEB has formulated “Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS),” the first MICE standard programme in ASEAN, to support venue operators to reach high standard of operations and to comply with international and ASEAN customers’ requirements for service and safety excellence. This year, there are 10 exhibition premises nationwide as TMVS-certified venues, whereas 3 exhibition venues are certified for the “ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (AMVS).” Looking ahead, we are gearing up to study the feasibility of introducing new standards to enhance the scope of MICE venue standards in general, and to be ready for the exhibitions industry in the post COVID-19 era.

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UFI RECONNECTS THE GLOBAL EXHIBITION INDUSTRY FACE-TO-FACE IN ROTTERDAM

round 350 UFI members from around 40 countries and regions attended the 88th UFI Global Congress, which took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from 3 to 6 November, under the main theme “Together again”.

UFI’s 88th Global Congress marks the return to face-to-face meetings for the association

Hosted by Rotterdam Ahoy and Rotterdam Partners, this year’s Congress was the first opportunity to bring the global industry community together, in a face-to-face setting, since COVID-19 lockdowns.

350 participants from around 40 countries & regions attended the event Monica Lee-Müller takes over the UFI Presidency

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Offering unique content and keynote speakers from inside and outside the sector, the Congress looked at the future of the industry in the post-COVID world. Alongside networking opportunities, attendees had the chance to celebrate the

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recovery of the sector, exchange lessons learned, and gain new insights and ideas.

Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO at UFI, said: “Rarely in recent years has a Congress theme matched the sense and spirit of an UFI event this well as ‘Together Again’ did this year. We indeed came together again, we discussed together again – we laughed together again. We shared experiences and observations, learnings and strategies. We mourned the colleagues we have lost to the pandemic, and we celebrated those who showed leadership and innovation, winning the UFI Awards this year.”

TO RECOVERY – AND BEYOND With more than 60 speakers on stage, delegates could follow a multitude of sessions, covering industry recovery, global trends, diversity & inclusion, entrepreneurship, and best practices. They discussed possible paths forward as well as the more immediate needs, challenges and opportunities the industry faces as the world reopens: strategy, sustainability, the power of face-to-face, work force challenges and opportunities, and data ownership. Keynote speaker and Economist Noreena Hertz stated: “We are creatures of togetherness, our will to connect is actually in our DNA and physical interactions are qualitatively superior to virtual ones! “ Meanwhile, closing keynote speaker, Prince Constantijn Van Oranje commented: “All these things bring new peers together. There is a lot of opportunity that requires to rethink old ways.”

NEW UFI RESEARCH PRESENTED As usual, Global Congress participants were the first to be updated on new, original UFI research findings, as a comprehensive analysis and overview of the exhibition industry’s activities. Two examples: www.miceaffairs.com

The “Global Recovery Insights 2021” report, produces with UFI research partner Explori, focused on five key themes which build on the findings of previous Global Insights studies. The latest data reflects optimism in the industry as demand has recovered for live events from both exhibitors and visitors. Building on discussions and panels around the evolution of digital event platforms and their providers at UFI events in recent months, a “Whitepaper on Data Ownership” was presented and discussed, the result of a cross-industry collaboration sharing the organiser’s perspective on data ownership.

NET ZERO CARBON EVENTS INITIATIVE Sustainability took centre stage at the Congress as well, with sessions connecting participants with the Global Climate Summit COP26, currently underway in Glasgow. Delegates learned about the “Net Zero Carbon Events” Pledge – a joint events industry initiative, backed by UFI among others, and hosted by the Joint Meetings Industry Council with the support of the United Nations’ UNFCCC. Numerous UFI member companies already joined the initiative as supporters and initial signatories. On November 10, representatives from across the Events Industry will take the stage at the Climate Summit to launch the initiative officially. UFI announced during the Congress that the association signed up to the pledge itself.

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SPECIAL MOMENTS AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES The 88th Global Congress included many networking opportunities and special moments including the President’s reception during which the UFI community met with Said Kasmi,

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Rotterdam Vice Mayor for Education, Culture and Tourism. As usual, the UFI Running Club took place and runners enjoyed the city at sunrise. The Congress Dinner on the ocean steamer SS Rotterdam was a great opportunity for delegates to mingle and find out more about the former flagship of the Holland-America Line, which has sailed the seven seas.

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WELCOME TO THE 2021/22 UFI PRESIDENT Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), formally assumed office as the UFI President for the year to come. She says: “In taking up the position of UFI President, I am following a long line of distinguished forebears. I am humble, but I am also proud of being the first Asian woman in this role. And I am looking forward immensely to new opportunities to serve the industry I love dearly.” UFI would like to thank Mary Larkin (UFI President 2019/2020), and Anbu Varathan (President 2020/21) for serving the association and the industry! The association also warmly welcomed Michael Duck as Incoming President. Still together with “UFI Global Congress – Extended”, online, until 26 November Many UFI members reached out to the association, sharing that they would not be able to travel to Rotterdam due to COVID related reasons. In response, UFI is organising ‘UFI Global Congress – Extended’, a digital programme scheduled to run until 26 November. This programme

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will focus on regionally specific content for Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Open to more than 50,000 industry professionals globally who work for UFI member companies, the UFI Global Congress takes place each November and is known as the exhibition industry’s largest global meeting of the year, combining international networking with unique content. In 2019, the event was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2020, due to COVID-19- related global travel restrictions, the Congress went digital, with programming from Hong Kong, Dubai, London, and Bogota. In 2022, the event will be hosted in Muscat, Oman. Las Vegas, USA, has been selected as the 2023 Congress host.

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3RD EDITION

T H E M E : R E S TA RT N O W

COMING SOON

G E T R E A DY T O NETWORK WIT H T o p C o r p o r a te B u ye r s I n d u s t r y L e a d e r s f ro m Top Ranking Associations, Federation and Chamber of C o m m e rc e L e a d i n g M I C E Ag e n cy O w n e rs a n d Eve n t P l a n n e r s

200 MICE PROFESSIONALS G E T T I N G R E A DY TO S H A K E H A N D S AG A I N

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