Version 2 AIPC, the International Association of Convention Centres; ICCA, the International Convention and Congress Association; and UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, have joined forces to release Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events – Version 2. The Guide, focused on the reopening for phase, builds on the first report published… Continue reading Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events
Region: Asia Pacific
Tourism and COVID-19 in Myanmar: Priorities for Restarting Tourism
Myanmar Tourism Marketing (MTM) with the support of the Development Partners Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, Hanns Seidel Foundation and Myanmar Responsible Tourism Institute, has released a White Paper that is intended to provide guidelines and principles for the recovery of the tourism sector. The White Paper outlines seven recommendations: Put Safety First Promote Domestic… Continue reading Tourism and COVID-19 in Myanmar: Priorities for Restarting Tourism
Bulletin: COVID-19
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 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.
Download a copy here.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
Our summary of how destinations are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope this bulletin will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
The MICE Sector in a Covid-19 World: Lockdown, Transition, New Normal
7 August 2020
On 30 July, UNWTO reported that 40% of destinations have eased travel restrictions. On the same day, WHO issued guidelines for resuming travel saying travel bans due to Covid-19 cannot be indefinite.
We are now in a Transition Phase where economic activity is resuming in a world inclusive of Covid-19. This phase will last until widespread vaccination, probably not before 2022, when the New Normal without the virus begins.
IATA, July 2020 reports that passenger numbers in 2020 will drop by 55%, to 2006 levels, and may not recover to 2019 levels until 2024.
STR, June 2020 predicts that USA hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) is unlikely to return to 2019 levels before 2023.
Air traffic and hotel demand are broad indicators for the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Recovery of the MICE sector seems unlikely to take less than 5 years.
The pace and level of recovery will vary by region and business segment. Domestic markets will return before international, and leisure segments will precede business segments. As the crisis is unprecedented and still evolving, the full recovery period remains uncertain.
The “Lockdown Period”
The relates primarily to March through May after the Covid-19 pandemic was announced spurring a global lockdown. This led to the closure of borders and most economic activity. In many countries, non-essential activities ceased for up to 4 months. Many imposed curfews.
Past crises were confined to smaller segments of the world. Not this time. On 6 April 2020, WHO reported that 96% of all worldwide destinations had introduced travel restrictions. IATA reported a 94% drop in air traffic for April 2020.
Many emerging and developing economies remain in lockdown as Covid-19 intensifies.
The “Transition Phase”
Most countries are now in this second phase. The reopening is not just of countries that have suppressed Covid-19 but also those with high active cases and so with the risks of second waves of infections and re-imposition of lockdowns.
June marked widescale relaxations in restrictions allowing domestic market activity in many countries. In the same month, some destinations began opening up to regional markets.
In July, UNWTO reported that 40% of destinations easing travel restrictions, up from 22% in June. Of the 87 countries to ease travel restrictions, four completely lifted all travel restrictions – Albania, Maldives, Serbia and Tanzania.
115 destinations including Australia, Canada and India continue to keep their borders completely closed.
The gradual opening is largely attributed to the Northern Hemisphere summer season led by the opening of borders in the European Union on 1 July. Europe leads the opening with 41 nations, 20 in the Americas, 13 in Africa, 10 in Asia-Pacific, and 3 in the Middle East.
China and USA – countries with strong domestic bases are leading the recovery pack with weekly occupancies of up to 55% and 48% respectively in late July. STR is reporting other regions at barely much more than 20%. USA hotels tend to rely more on MICE business than in the Asia Pacific where the leisure market is more dominant. Without this group business, the USA hotel recovery will plateau.
If the 87 countries manage this large-scale travel without a significant rise in cases, it will go a long way towards creating the consumer confidence needed for a genuine recovery. Conversely, a spike in cases risks a major setback.
Hotel recovery is led by non-luxury categories with domestic leisure peaking on weekends. Corporate travel recovery has begun in some markets, but many small meetings will not return from the virtual platforms adopted during the lockdown.
MICE sector recovery is led by domestic events. Protocols include contactless registration, thermal scanning, face masks, elevated hygiene and social distancing. Social distancing is easier to handle with exhibitions than conferences. Countries like China, Korea, Taiwan and Germany are leading the return of large-scale events with exhibitions and government events.
Many events have turned to virtual or hybrid formats in the short term. The importance of digitisation and flexibility of venues has escalated. Multi-location events where in-person events in different regional locations connect online to form a larger global event are growing. This is appealing in the current phase as attendees lack confidence for travel and large gatherings.
The “New Normal”
This has been described as a once-in-a-century pandemic. It has challenged us to completely re-evaluate how we think, live and work.
The 9/11 terror attacks led to dramatic changes in attitudes to safety, security and privacy. Covid-19 is having a dramatic impact on geopolitics, technology and social attitudes. Technology has proven fundamental to coping with this disruption. Driven to better prepare for the next pandemic or biosecurity threat, organisations will seek to strengthen agility and resilience.
It has long been accepted that there is a strong relationship between the unemployment rate and hotel demand. Hence, at some point, consumer behaviour will be dependent on economic, not health factors. After borders are wide open and consumer confidence in safe travel has returned, economics will influence hotel demand.
There will be significant shifts in the MICE industry in the post Covid-19 era. Some will be structural and permanent. Some will be temporary. Some are already in place.
Once the viral threat has faded, the attention on hygiene and social distancing may also fade.
In-person interaction remains powerful and unlikely to be replaced by virtual events in a dominant way. In-person events are attractive for commercial and networking purposes. Most events will return as in-person events, but a high portion will be hybrid events.
Covid-19 will accelerate digital trends. Consumer exhibitions will embrace virtual event formats more readily than trade exhibitions. Corporates will in future distinguish between essential and non-essential travel. Some meetings, especially internal meetings, will not fully return to pre Covid-19 levels.
Venue offers will include in-person, hybrid or virtual options with enhanced technology infrastructure and flexible rooms. Virtual tours for venues will be the norm. Virtual meeting and event software will improve at a rapid pace. Contactless operations beyond check-in is here to stay.
New certifications, accreditations and quality standards on hygiene will be normal.
Solutions for crowd monitoring, electrostatic sprayers to disinfect surfaces in function rooms and public spaces, automated self-cleaning machines for escalators, and enhanced air filtration systems for ventilation will be promoted as safety features at many venues.
Venues will need to assess both “hardware” and “software” readiness for this New Normal.
When this New Normal without Covid-19 begins is unclear. Even after a vaccine is found, it may take a year or more before widespread vaccination and the confidence for mass travel returns. A consensus is emerging that the virus will stay for a while and the world has to figure out how to live with it.
We shouldn’t let our high hopes for a vaccine deter us from finding solutions that let us live as close to normal as possible now, even in a highly disrupted world with Covid-19. But we must also be cognisant of the risks of second waves of infections and re-imposition of lockdowns.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ROD KAMLESHWARAN
Rod leads the Convention and Exhibition Centre Development advisory team at GainingEdge. His expertise is in the development and asset management of hospitality assets – convention & exhibition centres, hotels, and casino integrated resorts. A specialist in mixed-use developments, Rod has advised government and private sector clients on projects with a completion value exceeding US$20 billion. Rod was previously at PwC and IHG.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
We are now in a Transition Phase where economic activity is resuming in a world inclusive of Covid-19. This phase will last until widespread vaccination, probably not before 2022, when the New Normal without the virus begins.
Bulletin: COVID-19
REGION WATCH
ASIA
Singapore’s “Safe Business Event” framework
Source: Edited excerpt from Biz Events Asia
Date: 22 July 2020
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has developed a risk management framework for business events of up to 50 attendees, based on strict safe management measures. The framework covers 5 major outcomes:
- Infection control measures for every stage of an event attendee’s journey (pre- to post-event)
- Limits on crowd density
- Limits on close contacts between individuals
- Ensuring a safe and clean environment
- Preparing for emergencies relating to COVID-19
Two hybrid events, scheduled for August and September, will serve as pilots for the framework.
Penang’s new guidelines for business events
Source: Edited excerpt from Biz Events Asia
Date: 22 July 2020
Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) has launched the first edition of “Next Normal Guidelines for Business Events Penang”, a comprehensive document detailing the new standards of organising business events in this Malaysian state. The guidelines were created by a task force of 29 industry partners to ensure all facets of planning business events are considered. PCEB also unveiled new souvenirs for Business Events Penang: Penang Turtle Cares signature batik turtles wearing ‘N95 respiratory masks’ as a safety measure.
“Meet in Malaysia” campaign
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings and TTG MICE
Date: 28 July 2020
Malaysia’s Convention Bureau (MyCEB) has launched the Meet in Malaysia campaign, which runs until December 2021 and includes two initiatives:
- “Let’s Meet Tomorrow” designed to help the industry prepare for international business events to be organised in Malaysia once borders re-open;
- “Let’s Meet Locally” that centres on domestic events.
Malaysia’s industry associations “BE Ready” initiative
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 28 July 2020
The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), in collaboration with the Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM), have jointly launched their ‘BE-READY’ initiative. This is designed to showcase the industry’s safe execution of events in line with their Business Events (BE) Guidelines, which have been developed in accordance with the approved Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
China’s SPA Plan
Source: Edited excerpt from ITCM China Daily 2020
Date: 5 Aug 2020
To guide companies and their staff towards new standards of operations, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Commercial Sub-council has espoused Surviving/Service, Preparation and Actualisation (SPA) – a plan to enable MICE enterprises to survive and find opportunities in the current crisis.
The Sub-council had pushed for new industry standards due to the rise of contactless delivery services in the region. Within 26 days, it launched a set of association standards, and in some 100 days, it achieved global standardisation by the International Organization for Standardization.
Macau’s Health and Safety practices
Source: Edited excerpt from ITCM China Daily 2020
Date: 5 Aug 2020
The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is working to put in place health and safety practices before the industry reopens and also, that technology for hybrid events are set to be introduced.
Financial and other forms of support were also being reviewed to aid recovery.
AUSTRALIA
Business Events Australia wooing the Chinese market
Source: Edited excerpt from BEN
Date: 28 July 2020
Business Events Australia has announced the development of a We Chat mini program to provide a platform for organizers in China to save, download and share information about Australia’s business events offering. The existing platform at businessevents.australia.cn will retain a role in facilitating initial research and planning, but will aim to drive traffic to the WeChat account.
Australia keeps connections
Source: Edited excerpt from meetingnewz
Date: 20 July 2020
To keep event planners dreaming whilst travel is restricted, Tourism Australia has pulled together six ways to soak up Australia from the comfort of their lounge rooms. Whether it is to read a book, watch a film, or tune in to a podcast, Tourism Australia wants its audience to be enticed to travel to Australia when the time is right.
EUROPE
Scotland’s 10 M Euros recovery package
Source: Edited excerpt from M & IT
Date: 29 July 2020
The Scottish government has allocated a funding package of 10 million euros to help the business events sector recover for the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will provide direct support to event organisers as well as to supply chain firms facing hardship, to help keep them in business while restrictions on events are still in place. It will also look to increase community engagement and support adaptations to event delivery to enable a safe restart.
Belgium launches safe meetings toolkit
Source: Edited excerpt from Northstar Meetings Group
Date: 17 July 2020
VisitFlanders Convention Bureau and EventFlanders, in collaboration with the Alliance of Belgian Event Federations, the Expertise Centre for Public Impact KdG and the government of Belgium, has developed three web-based tools to help in organization of business events that are compliant with the government’s health-safety measures. The tools are available in four languages and include:
- The COVID Event Risk Model
- The Covid Event Protocol
- The Guidebook to Corona Prevention for Venues
Meet brUSsels’ 2 M Euros recovery package – B2B
Source: Edited excerpt from Global Travel Media
Date: 27 July 2020
Visit Brussels has launched a call for projects aimed at providing financial support to B2B event organisers (at least 200 participants, 2 days, one overnight stay in Brussels) by granting them a subsidy of their event venue. The total budget is 2 million euros, with a maximum of 50,000 euros per eligible event and 50% of the maximum room rental amount.
Brussels’ 1.5 M Euros support package – B2C
Source: Edited excerpt from Visit Brussels
In addition, Visit Brussels has allocated 1.5 million euros to support B2C events in Brussels in the procurement of protective and hygiene equipment, tools for flow/visitor management, circulation and counting, security costs (guards, stewards, etc.) and costs relating to the implementation of touchless solutions. The grant will be made according to the following breakdown:
- Maximum 10,000 euros for events hosting up to 200 people
- Maximum 17,500 euros for events hosting up to 500 people
- Maximum 25,000 euros for events hosting more than 500 people
UK’s COVID-19 safety labels
Source: Edited excerpt from M & IT
Date: 22 July 2020
Lack of standardised Covid-19 safety procedures from the UK government has led to many UK industry associations producing their own safety guidelines. Meetpie has compiled a list of safety accreditations from across the UK’s event industry, including:
- AIM Secure
- Safe,Clean and Legal
- We’re Good to Go
- COVID-19 Confident
- Reopen with confidence
AFRICA
Business events to lead recovery of South Africa’s tourism sector
Source: Edited excerpt from Voyages Afriq
Date: 24 July 2020
The South African Minister of Tourism among other priority areas singled out the business events sector as an area which will quicken the recovery. Mrs. Kubayi-Ngubane noted that South Africa will aggressively bid to host large international events in anticipation of the opening of the borders so that upon opening, they can immediately drive up demand for their supply market and also build confidence that South Africa is safe and open for business.
GLOBAL RECOVERY
EIC’s “Meeting and Event Design Accepted Practices” guide
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 24 July 2020
The Events Industry Council (EIC) has issued the Meeting and Event Design Accepted Practices Guide that provides customisable tools to help the business events industry professionals for the COVID-19 period. The guide provides:
- A meeting and event decision grid
- Guidelines and a code of conduct for pre-event, post-event and onsite
- Meeting and event success metrics (pre- and post-vaccine)
- Attendee communication considerations
- Resource guide
PCMA’s “Business Events Compass” report
Source: Edited excerpt from M & C Asia
Date: 24 July 2020
The inaugural PCMA Events Compass report, which provides research-based insights on geographic and industry sector business events recovery, reveals that:
- APAC is leading the road in recovery of the business events industry largely due to reopening plans in Japan and China, and a decisive pandemic response in countries like New Zealand and Australia.
- Best case economic recovery scenario (virus contained) for business events is currently estimated to be Q3-2021.
An executive summary of Business Events Compass is free for PCMA members, however a subscription to the full service and inaugural report, including updates through December 2020, is available for US$495 for members ($895 for non-members).
JMIC releases ‘The JMIC Global Manifesto’
Source: Edited excerpt from NORTHSTAR meetings group
Date: 20 July 2020
The Joint Meetings Industry Council has released a Meetings Industry Manifesto, which makes the case for why conventions, trade shows and other business events are key to driving a global economic recovery. This manifesto is developed as a resource for industry professionals to advocate for the safe reopening of business events in their respective communities. The manifesto concludes with 10 “critical success” points that meeting professionals can follow to advocate for their industry on a local and regional level.
Download the full manifesto here.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
Our summary of how destinations are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope this bulletin will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
Bulletin: COVID-19
REGION WATCH
ASIA
Sarawak’s new incentives for the industry
Source: Edited excerpt from M&C Asia
Date: 14 July 2020
Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has unveiled the Tribe Legacy campaign which includes a trio of new initiatives to kickstart the business events industry. Event organizers can tap into incentives such as the BESLegacy Reward program and BESTribe Reward program. Tribe Legacy will aid in training and upskilling local industry players.
BESarawak will also launch Tribe Digital Xchange, a virtual roadshow and B2B platform for industry partners to present their latest products and services.
Thailand’s DMCs team up
Source: Edited excerpt from TTGMICE and Mix Meetings
Date: 16 July 2020
The DMC community in Thailand has come together to formulate and implement a set of standards entitled Thailand Hygiene Plus Initiative (THPI), to get the message that Thailand is safe to visit. The standards cover six areas and include, but are not limited to, those to be certified by the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA).
Collaboration from Tokyo’s industry stakeholders
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 7 July 2020
TOKYO Convention Bureau has united the Japanese capital’s business events stakeholders in establishing “new normal” guidelines and assuring overseas clients that the city is safe for international conferences and corporate events. The stakeholders have also created initiatives to show that Tokyo is a “flexible” city for business events. Strong restrictions on entering Japan from abroad are still in effect, but travellers from Vietnam were permitted to enter from the beginning of July. Talks are underway to extend entry to travellers from Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand’s $10 million domestic events support package
Source: Edited excerpt from MICENET
Date: 3 July 2020
New Zealand’s government has allocated a $10 million fund for the domestic sector after dialogue with the local events sector. The Domestic Events Fund is designed to support events that provide the greatest flow-on benefit to regional economies and to stave off the loss of such critical events.
Queensland’s “Good to Go” safety mark
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 10 July 2020
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has specified criteria for businesses on how to be COVID-Safe. Businesses that meet the requirements can display a Good to Go ‘stamp’ in their marketing. Developed by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) and approved by the state’s Chief Health Officer, the Queensland Industry Plan for Tourism and Accommodation and the Queensland Industry Framework for Events outline COVID-Safe practices and recommendations that allow tourism businesses and event organisers to maintain safety and operate viably.
EUROPE
European convention bureaux launch a joint website
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRESS
Date: 30 June 2020
The Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe launched its new website to provide customers, suppliers and partners with useful resources as well as direct channels of communication to its 28 members from all over Europe.
Germany’s new marketing strategy
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRESS
Date: 10 July 2020
During their first ever hybrid AGM, the German Convention Bureau presented its post-corona recovery concept and new marketing strategy “At the heart of future events – meetings made in Germany 2021+”. The strategy outlines the recovery phases as:
Phase 1: Exchange of information, analysing the situation and the current organization of face-to-face and hybrid events in compliance with hygiene and security measures with a focus on the domestic market.
Phase 2: Increase in personal meetings, growth in attendee figures at face-to-face events and the gradual expansion of activities in European and overseas markets.
Phase 3: Combination of analogue, hybrid and virtual formats.
GLOBAL RECOVERY
PATA’s recovery planner
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG Asia
Date: 29 June 2020
As part of their Crisis Resource Center (CRC), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has launched a recovery planner, which is a digital resource that destinations can use to create personalised, five-phased COVID-19 tourism recovery plans.
Global trade shows collaborate
Source: Edited excerpt from Boardroom
Date: 2 July 2020
JMIC, together with AIME, IBTM, IMEX and Meetings Africa, have released a 2-part webinar showcasing the industry speaking with one voice. All the major trade shows for our industry, leaders of associations and leading experts in the sector united to put together a joint message – to governments, decision makers, stakeholders – about the role business events have to play in the economic recovery post COVID-19.
IACC recovery protocols for venues
Source: Edited excerpt from Meetings Net
Date: 15 July 2020
IACC (formerly known by its full name the International Association of Conference Centers) has released the “Critical Pathway for Reopening Meeting, Conference, and Training Spaces” report, a detailed blueprint of protocols and tactics that meeting venues can use to ensure cleanliness and social distancing. This 52-page report is free for IACC members.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
Our summary of how destinations are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope this bulletin will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
Tracking the Return of the MICE Events Sector in a Covid-19 World
After months of lockdown, many countries are now seeing a gradual re-opening of its events sector. This is not limited to just countries that have suppressed Covid-19, but also many where the situation remains uncertain as they face a second wave of cases.
There is a consensus emerging that Covid-19 is here to stay and the world has to figure out how to live with it, at least until a vaccine is found. This may be months or even years. So, the new norm is a world with Covid-19 until we transition to a stable Post Covid-19 world probably not before 2022.
For most countries re-opening this sector, the focus is on domestic conference and exhibition events. However, some destinations in Europe as well as the Caribbean, China, Taiwan and UAE have progressed to events with international attendees from approved countries.
China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, UK, Switzerland and Norway are just some of the countries that have opened up their venues or announced imminent opening.
So how do events look like in the Covid-19 World? Images from New Zealand and Taiwan of full capacity stadiums and exhibitions halls may suggest it doesn’t look much different to Pre Covid-19. These countries have ostensibly eliminated Covid-19 and have opened up their domestic markets with almost no restrictions. However, for most other countries still battling Covid-19, venues are opening with new protocols such as thermal temperature screening, face masks, frequent disinfection of high use areas, and social distancing in high concentration areas of the building.
Even with the regulatory barriers on the opening of venues and borders removed, the recovery is going to be dependent on consumers and businesses having confidence that destinations and venues are safe to visit.
Events organised by Government agencies (e.g. trade shows) are often leading the reopening in efforts to create confidence. As the first region to encounter COVID-19, Asia is also now leading the re-opening of economies and venues.
Surveys are finding optimism growing among destinations. Optimism for both business and leisure travel continues to increase, with about 40% of those studied in a recent US survey, expecting to travel during the next six months (McKinsey & Company).
In this Covid-19 World, MICE events will behave differently to the past. Whilst recovery will differ country by country, we can expect common themes. There will be a higher focus on smaller domestic events with elevated hygiene and social distancing demands and a higher level of virtual or hybrid events. Social distancing, when required, is easier to handle with exhibitions than conferences. This suggests more exhibitions before conferences. It is expected that younger people will travel first. Travel will involve nearby destinations.
Digitisation and flexibility of venues will be highly important. Covid-19 will significantly accelerate digital trends. Venues will be expected to offer the option for virtual and hybrid events with enhanced technology infrastructure and flexible rooms. In this transition phase, some events may go fully virtual while others go hybrid.
Hybrid events include the main event with in-person attendance complemented by additional virtual attendees and speakers. Future options may include multi-location events that are a collection of in-person events in different cities joining online to form a larger global event. This would allow in-person attendance in a local or regional destination avoiding large scale gatherings. This may be appealing in the current phase as attendees lack confidence for travel and large gatherings.
In-person interaction remains powerful and unlikely to be dominantly replaced by virtual events anytime soon. In-person events are attractive for commercial and networking reasons. It is more plausible that in the stable Post Covid-19 World most events return as in-person events with a significant proportion as hybrid events. Indeed, some events, especially small meetings may be candidates for permanent virtual only events.
Venues located in safe destinations, offering modern flexible spaces and advanced technology are likely to be more attractive for large scale international events.
Other trends may include:
- New certifications, accreditations and quality standards on hygiene
- Virtual tours or site inspections for venues
- Thermal scanning temperature checks and other testing
- Contactless registration and staggered registration to prevent overcrowding
- Flexible room and seating configurations to support social distancing when required
- Crowd monitoring and control at high-density areas within venues
- Electrostatic sprayers to disinfect surfaces in function rooms and public spaces
- Automated self-cleaning machines for escalators
- Sanitising furniture and equipment after each use
- Enhanced air filtration systems for ventilation in venues
- Policies for isolation and contact tracing following positive Covid-19 tests
- Social distancing and protective equipment
- Preference for ala carte and boxed lunches instead of buffets
- Adverse impact on sponsorships but some mitigation as the acceleration of digital solutions create new sponsorship opportunities
- Competing issues in contract language as organisers seek flexible cancellation terms whilst venues seek stricter terms to protect their own exposure
- Increased focus on contingency planning and crisis management plans
Like other economic sectors, the MICE sector is also adjusting to a new evolving playbook. Government agencies, as well as industry associations and venues, have been busy announcing guidelines for hosting MICE events in a Covid-19 World. Two examples of such guidelines include Good Practice Guide: Addressing COVID-19 Requirements for Re-Opening Business Events and Global Protocols for the New Normal Convention Centre.
MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions also know as Business Events
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ROD KAMLESHWARAN
Rod leads the Convention and Exhibition Centre Development advisory team at GainingEdge. His expertise is in the development and asset management of hospitality assets – convention & exhibition centres, hotels, and casino integrated resorts. A specialist in mixed-use developments, Rod has advised government and private sector clients on projects with a completion value exceeding US$20 billion. Rod was previously at PwC and IHG.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
After months of lockdown, many countries are now seeing a gradual re-opening of its events sector.
The JMIC Global Manifesto
An Industry Rationale for the Use of Business Events as Primary Agents for Post Pandemic Economic Recovery and Renewal The Joint Meetings Industry Council has released a meetings Industry Manifesto, which makes the case for why conventions, trade shows and other business events are key to driving a global economic recovery. This manifesto is developed as a resource… Continue reading The JMIC Global Manifesto
Bulletin: COVID-19
REGION WATCH
ASIA
Collaboration in South East Asia
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG MICE
Date: 15 June 2020
Business events associations in South-east Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, have come together to spur the recovery of the region’s meetings and events sector through ongoing talks with a focus on sharing protocols for the safe reopening of events, exchanging advocacy tactics, and building resilience in South-east Asia.
Short term business trips between Thailand and five key markets under discussion
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings
Date: 30 June 2020
Hong Kong and Thailand hope to have a bilateral agreement in July to create a travel bubble between the two destinations. Other short-term business travellers allowed into Thailand can potentially include those mainland China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
Thailand’s “Ease Up” grant
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 16 June 2020
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled “EASE UP”, a new collaborative financial grant that gives event organizers access to USD $500,000 financial support and an equivalent value in complimentary products and services from participating partners. The grant is part of a new campaign called I M PEOPLE FOCUSED.
Thailand’s Covid-19 resource center and framework
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG MICE
Date: 15 June 2020
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched a real-time news service dedicated to business events during the Covid-19 pandemic and created a framework entitled Exhibition New Norm Standard Operation Procedures. The website includes government insight and measures on the status of the Covid-19 infection in Thailand and worldwide, as well as online resources for organisers and visitors.
Singapore’s Operational Handbook for the Industry
Source: Edited excerpt from Mix Meetings and M & C Asia
Date: 17 June 2020
Singapore Association for Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) has joined forces with Singapore Tourism Board and Enterprise Singapore to work on an Industry Resilience Roadmap (IRR) that will serve as an “operational handbook” as business events begin in stages. The IRR focuses on three strategic objectives:
- Safe and sustainable operating environment
- Strengthen enterprise capabilities to innovate and scale-up
- Build a strong and vibrant industry to drive future change
AKEI offers USD $200k support for exhibitions
Source: Edited excerpt from AKEI
Date: 23 June 2020
The Association of Korea Exhibition Industry (AKEI) will provide show organizers with the cost of COVID19 prevention activities to cover consumables such as masks, hand sanitizers and plastic gloves, renting equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, and disinfection costs. The total budget is about USD $200,000 and more than 50 shows are expected to receive this quarantine support. To be eligible, the show must be at least 2,000sqm and have been held since last May or is scheduled to be held in South Korea. An organizer can get support up to 2 exhibitions and up to 5 million KRW (USD $4,200) per show.
AUSTRALIA
Australia’s AUD $1.5 million restart package
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 19 June 2020
Business Events Australia has launched the Business Events Boost Program that includes a new AUD $1.5 million (USD $1.03 million) program to help the domestic business events sector get back on its feet in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. The Australian Federal Government has also put aside AUD $75 million (USD $51.8 million) in grants to provide capital to help event businesses. Event organisers will be able to apply for grants of between AUD $75,000 (USD $51,900) to AUD $2 million (USD $1.4 million) to put on events as part of a broader AUD $250 million (USD $173 million) rescue package for the arts sector.
Melbourne Convention Bureau seeking AUD $60 million in recovery funding
Source: Edited excerpt from The Age, Melbourne
Date: 4 July 2020
A tourism taskforce for Victoria has proposed a AUD $1.3 B (USD $910 million) visitor industry recovery plan to the State government. The proposed package would include AUD $15 million (USD $10 million) in additional annual funding for the convention bureau over four years as well as funding for product innovation (“game changing infrastructure development”), airline service incentives and tourism promotion.
EUROPE
Estonia’s free transport for international conference delegates
Source: Edited excerpt from M & C Asia
Date: 16 June 2020
Estonia’s capital, the city of Tallinn has introduced a new scheme where delegates to international conferences in the city can now ride the capital’s buses, trolleys and trams for free. Event organisers who apply through the city’s Transport Department will receive QR code tickets which can be sent to delegates before their arrival. The tickets are valid for the entire period of the delegate’s official stay.
Slovenia’s virtual adventure
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 22 June 2020
Slovenia Meetings team organized a 1-hour online experience on 2 July, featuring the main meetings destinations and venues in three geographical and three climate regions.
UK-wide “We’re Good to Go” certification
Source: Edited excerpt from Visit Britain
Date: 25 June 2020
The United Kingdom has launched a ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard and consumer mark to help businesses across the sector demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and check they have the required processes in place.
Berlin’s 10 million euros restart package
Source: Edited excerpt from KONGRES
Date: 28 June 2020
The Senate of Berlin has approved a new congress fund to help the city and the Berlin Convention Office of Visit Berlin to attract new events to the city. The focus will particularly be on events in the areas of digitalization, mobility and the health care industry. The congress fund initially comprises of 10 million euros (USD $11.2 million) as well as other support measures.
CANADA
Canada CAD $30 million support package for DMOs
Source: Edited excerpt from Canadian Meetings & Events Expo
Date: 1 June 2020
The Federal government of Canada announced that it is investing CAD $30 million (USD $22.1 million) into the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) to provide financial relief to destination marketing organizations across southern Ontario that have experienced revenue shortfalls.
MIDDLE EAST
Dubai Tourism’s cooperation with Dubai Customs
Source: Edited excerpt from M & C Asia
Date: 16 June 2020
Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and Dubai Customs have signed a MoU to work as a team in making annual plans to specify the objectives and activities in attracting more business events to the emirate. The two will organize joint business events and Dubai Customs will become a member organisation of Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme.
Abu Dhabi’s Safety Certification
Source: Edited excerpt from CIM
Date: 22 June 2020
Abu Dhabi has launched a new Go Safe Certification that aims to enforce global standards of safety and cleanliness at hotels, attractions, and venues across the emirate, leading to the reopening of the properties after they receive clearance and certification from Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi.
GLOBAL RECOVERY PROTOCOLS
IELA onsite covid-19 protocol
Source: Edited excerpt from TTG MICE
Date: 29 June 2020
The International Exhibition Logistics Association (IELA) has released a step-by-step practical guide and safety recommendations for the exhibition logistics industry during the current pandemic. Entitled IELA On-Site Covid-19 Protocol, the guide recommends the measures and behaviour to adopt in an on-site work situation specific to the exhibition logistics environment, as economies restart around the world.
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
Our summary of how destinations are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. We hope this bulletin will help you in planning your own mitigation and recovery strategies.
GainingEdge Advisory Issue
Building confidence with your stakeholders
From June 9-17, GainingEdge held individual advice clinics with 25 CVBs/DMOs in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa. These clinics were complimentary and hosted by consultants from GainingEdge. We set out below a summary of the advice we provided during these sessions on how destinations can build confidence with stakeholders through effective, credible communications.
· Confidence comes from open and transparent communication
It is critical to remember you have multiple audiences and they are all important. The key drive for your communications right now should be about building credibility through openness and transparency. There is only one kind of communication right now that can really bring you value – communication designed to build confidence in you among your stakeholders and MICE customers and buyers.
Use this time to build credibility more than trying to build interest in your destination. Then when the situation improves, you can leverage the goodwill you have built and use it to immediate effect.
What is credible communication? Short, radically transparent, spin-free and to the point information about COVID-19 and your destination.
Because you were transparent, your buyers will trust your information. Again, the trust you can build now could be one of the most positive things you can derive from this whole situation.
This downtime caused by COVID-19 is probably the most opportune time to get your stakeholders working more cooperatively. Leverage that sense of common purpose to build an even stronger and more united supplier community – another lasting positive outcome that you can take from this crisis.
· We would like to share a template with you
GainingEdge is pleased to share with you a template for your credible communications about COVID-19 and how it is impacting your destination from the business events point view. Click here to see a suggested table of contents with pointers on what could be included under each topic.
In closing
If you missed the opportunity to sign up for the complimentary advice clinics with us, please email Paul Vallee at paul@gainingedge.com. He will follow up with you on what you are most interested in discussing, and make sure to connect you with the most appropriate consultant at GainingEdge.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
– George Bernard Shaw
For more articles/news, please visit News & Resources.
Advice: COVID-19 for destinations and convention bureaus Issue #5.