A new trade
show will debut in Singapore next week, firmly establishing the Asia Pacific
region as one of the brightest stars in the meetings industry firmament.
The Meetings Show Asia Pacific
2024, organised by Northstar Travel Group, takes place at Marina Bay Sands
Expo and Convention Centre, 17-18 April - and is set to deliver.
The show has attracted 160 appointment taking
exhibitors and hundreds of buyers from across the region and around the world,
all with qualified near-term business for APAC.
David Blansfield, Executive VP and group publisher, Northstar Travel Group, said: “The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is the
largest organic event launch – by every measure -- in the history of Northstar.
The performance of the event alone is a testament to the current importance
and the future potential for MICE industry growth throughout the APAC region.”
A varied
education programme features back-to-back presentations and panel discussions
on a range of topics from sustainability to technology and workforce
management.
Supported by
the Singapore Tourism Board, the conference and exhibition will convene destinations,
venues, hotels, technology providers, and key suppliers.
Here are six
sessions that TMS APAC attendees won’t want to miss:
Latest
outlook for MICE, events, and business travel in APAC
Travel and
tourism are bouncing back, with international arrivals to most APAC
destinations expected to recover pre-pandemic levels this or next year. All in
all, the return of MICE and events has been strong. In the session titled The
Outlook for Business Travel & Events in APAC (MICE), Michael Shoory, Senior
Economist with Tourism Economics will share projections for tourism for APAC
countries in coming years, specifically with regard to business travel, and discuss
the rebound of meetings industry events worldwide.
The following
day, on 18 April, in this session titled Latest Trends in Global MICE, Joon
Hyuk (June) Kim, director of Kim’s M&T / regional manager of MPI Academy
Korea, will provide the latest global MICE trends, and will present the latest
data and analysis as provided by the Global MICE Collaborative, comprising MPI,
SITE and IAEE.
The
Meeting Planner Perspective: Northstar Meetings Group/Cvent PULSE Survey
Northstar
Meetings Group recently conducted the first-ever global survey of meetings
industry planners, comparing planners' expectations, opportunities and
challenges across North America, EMEA and APAC. Moderated by David Blansfield, Executive
VP Northstar Meetings Group, this session will discuss the results, with
insights provided from NMG experts and Harsha Hariharan, Regional Sales
Director – Cvent.
The Future
is Yesterday
Today’s world
is more connected, yet more divided than ever, and the question persists: How
do real-world factors such as the geo-political tensions and the growing Gen-Z
workforce implicate and affect the future of business events? In a panel
discussion attended by speakers including Sherrif Karamat, CEO of PCMA, this
session seeks to understand how best to connect people and communities to
foster understanding instead of dwelling on differences.
Sustainable
Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) Bespoke Introduction Course
In this
two-day workshop, participants will have a front-seat introduction to
sustainable events and social impact, learning how to manage and measure carbon
emissions, reduce waste, and make their events more accessible. What’s more –
all attendees will receive accreditation from the Events Industry Council upon
completion of the course.
Sustainability-focused
sessions
The industry
has witnessed a notable shift towards sustainability, and meetings industry professionals
are increasingly adopting stronger emphasis on sustainable practices. With
sessions such as Regenerative Rising: Unleashing the Power of Events to Deliver
Social and Environmental Change and Certification or Transparency: Winning
Formulas in the Journey to Tell Your Sustainability Story, attendees will have
the chance to hear from representatives from MEET TAIWAN as they speak about
the growth of regenerative tourism and events, while touching on topics such as
eco-friendly initiatives.
Elevating
MICE Experiences with the Power of Luxury
If you’ve
ever considered enhancing your events with luxury experiences or find yourself
constantly on the lookout for new ways to boost attendee engagement and
satisfaction, this session is for you. Alexis Lhoyer, CEO & co-founder of
Chab Events will share how incorporating exceptional experiences can transform
MICE events and leave lasting impressions on attendees, with case studies and
expert insights galore.
Registration
to TMS APAC is free for validated buyers in the MICE industry, while trade
visitors may purchase an entry pass for US$100. All trade and hosted buyers
will be vetted to be qualified for the complimentary benefits. The full
conference programme can be viewed here.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
