We’re all being flooded by news and communications about COVID-19. Below we summarise information about how destinations are responding, which we hope will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
REGION WATCH
ASIA
Japan’s business events sector makes up for the Olympics
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 4 August 2020
J-Team is organising an event that brings together business events organizations in Japan to show the country’s readiness to welcome back events as soon as global logistics make that possible. Sixteen organisations have agreed to take part in a 60km-plus Great Tokyo Odyssey to help fill the void left by the postponement of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Also known as Not the Tokyo Marathon (#NTTM), the event is scheduled for September 6, the original date of the 2020 Paralympic Marathon.
Sarawak’s digital marketing strategy
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG MICE
Date: 17 August 2020
Business Events Sarawak has unveiled several marketing videos to instill confidence in event organizers, by showcasing business events that have already taken place in Sarawak in abidance with the guidelines and SOPs set by the government. These videos will be uploaded on social media platforms and promoted through related business events digital media platforms.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand NZD50 million (USD33 million) business events support package
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 19 August 2020
The Minister of Tourism announced that more than NZD300 million (USD196 million) funding has been approved to protect strategic tourism businesses, drive domestic tourism through regional events and lift digital capability in the tourism industry. The package includes:
- Over NZD230 million (USD150 million) in grants and loans for 126 strategic tourism businesses, that could help protect the jobs of around 3,000 people directly employed in the industry.
- NZD50 million (USD33 million) for a Regional Events Fund.
- NZD20 million (USD13 million) inbound tour operator loan scheme.
- NZD10 million (USD 6.5 million) to lift digital capability in the sector.
Gold Coast’s support package
Source: Edited excerpt from Business Events Gold Coast
Date: 5 August 2020
Destination Gold Coast in Australia, is now offering a cash incentive to support business events on the Gold Coast. Business events, confirmed by 31 December 2020, will be eligible to apply for cash incentives based on delegate numbers:
- 100+ delegates – AUD25,000 (USD17,878)
- 200+ delegates – AUD50,000 (USD35,756)
- 500+ delegates – AUD100,000 (USD71,513)
AFRICA
South Africa business events association tests the waters with a hybrid event
Source: Edited excerpt from Business Events Africa
Date: 13 August 2020
South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) hosted “The Proof of Concept” event to evaluate the feasibility of additional COVID-19 requirements. In successfully delivering the event, SAACI hopes to encourage further activation of the business events and exhibition sector.
The event was held in five different venues around South Africa, with 50 people in each venue, in line with the government regulations, thus enabling a total of 250 people to attend in-person. An additional 305 attendees tuned in online.
EUROPE
Brussels’ venue rental subsidy fund
Source: Edited excerpt from CMW – Conference & Meetings World
Date: 27 July 2020
visit.brussels recently launched €2 million (USD2.3 million) fund to encourage organisers to choose Brussels as a destination for future events, offering financial support to B2B event organisers for events with at least 200 participants, and an overnight stay in Brussels. The support is in the form of a subsidy which must be injected into the rental payment of the event venue, whether it takes place now or in the future. Up to €50,000 (USD58,000) is available per eligible event.
The Netherlands’ COVID-19 Reopening Protocol
Source: Edited excerpt from NL Netherlands website
The Protocol contains guidelines for meeting and convention organizers, suppliers, and delegates of meetings, conventions and events taking place in the Netherlands. Business events include trade shows and corporate events. In putting together these guidelines, NBTC Holland Marketing (NBTC) obtained information from the Dutch government, the National Institute for Public Health & the Environment (RIVM), (strategic) partners and other suppliers as well as via desk research.
MIDDLE EAST
MOUs to formalise and reinforce partnerships to bring more business events to Dubai
Source: Edited excerpt from HQ magazine
Date: 10 Aug 2020
Dubai Business Events has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with public and private organisations in an effort to formalize and reinforce collaborations that are set to attract more business events to Dubai. These include Dubai Customs, Arab Association of Petroleum Professionals, Emirates Nursing Association and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Meanwhile, the Roads Transport Authority, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government, and RIT University renewed their MOUs.
GLOBAL RECOVERY
PCMA’s COVID-19 Recovery Dashboard
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 6 August 2020
On July 7-15, PCMA conducted a survey focusing exclusively on the APAC region. 531 event industry professionals — 342 planners and 189 suppliers responded to questions about what they have experienced since the pandemic began and where they see the recovery headed.