BANGKOK, 28 March 2013: A strong Thai baht is making event organisers think twice about hosting events in Thailand, but Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau says MICE related business remains robust.
TCEB senior manager and meetings industry department acting director, Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, said foreign event planners are concern about the strong baht, which makes price quotes for hotels, venues and other event-related purchases in Thailand more expensive.
It will also impact on domestic airfares but international fares, by far the biggest cost item for visiting delegates, remain unchanged.
“It impacts on venue, hotel, transportation and related matters however we think it will not be long term and these kind of currency fluctuations happen worldwide.”
She stressed: “Despite a strong Thai baht, the country is still a good value destination.”
Strengthening of the currency has no impact on local suppliers if they quoted in baht, but if they quoted for services in other currencies they will earn more on the quoted rates when they exchange to baht.
Event planners who asked for quotes in baht will be paying more in their own currency to settle bills. In most instances the value the baht has increased 3 to 8% against major currencies.
While Ms Vichaya was confident the country is still good value, based on low quotes that were put in place a couple of years ago to improve business during a political crisis, it will start to have an impact on quotes for events in 2014 and 2015 if the baht remains strong.
In contrast, the strong baht is a godsend for Thais MICE operators who can sell more incentives and off-shore meetings to Thai corporations, according to TCEB domestic MICE director, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
Thai companies cut back outbound incentives after 2008 due to unfavourable conditions in the country, but that is changing and destinations such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore are benefiting.
TCEB needs to increase its promotions to encourage the domestic meetings market to counter this trends.
“We will collaborate with local airlines such as Nok Air, Thai Smile, Thai AirAsia, Orient Thai and Bangkok Airways to launch promotions that support routes to the royal projects trail programme.”
Project details are still vague, but in essence TCEB wants to encourage incentives that study the achievements of royal projects mainly in North Thailand that will offer both an educational value and reward features.
‘Smart bITes’ guide for tackling Wi-Fi interference
Leading technology supplier Etherlive provides a set of concise tips for avoiding and minimising Wi-Fi interference during large-scale meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Unless addressed Wi-Fi interference can be a major issue detracting from a successful event.
The advice is the latest in a series of ‘smart bITe’ guides, designed to address the growing reliance on technology for events and empower event organisers with knowledge that will enable them to accommodate the increasing requirements of delegates and exhibitors: 1. Manage expectations and set formal guidelines
Delegates and exhibitors should be informed in advance that any personal equipment will be subject to certain guidelines to prevent interference with the in-house Wi-Fi. It is recommended users are requested to sign a simple pre-registration form containing the guidelines prior to the event. Have technical resource or partner on hand should any exhibitor wish to ask questions.
2. Use a technology partner to scan the airwaves
Once guidelines have been set, wireless scanners can be used by on-site technology experts to ensure the agreements are being followed and to locate equipment causing interference. It’s not just other Wi-Fi devices that can be a problem – DECT phones, Bluetooth, alarms, telemetry systems and even industrial microwaves can all be sources of interference.
3. Manage other suppliers
Any wireless networks used by other suppliers should be taken into account during the early stages of Wi-Fi negotiations; wireless networks may be of equipment used by AV companies for example, so it is worthwhile engaging to pre-determine any possible interference and pre-assign channels so systems can coexist.
4. Get skilled up
Ensuring that the team running the event have access to technical resources or an on-site technology partner are essential in enabling an organiser to address any interference affecting delegates during the event.
5.Put in place a back-up plan
If local interference cannot be eliminated, there should be a back-up plan to minimise the impact i.e. the installation of some hard-wire cables which delegates and exhibitors can use. Whilst wireless offers freedom, many venues suggest that those requiring a ‘guaranteed’ service should consider a backup wired connection assuming the device supports this.
6. Make the necessary pre-event considerations
Check the venue before choosing it in order to identify any potential problems; a good question to ask in the first instance is whether the in-house network can be turned off if it is not required for the event reducing interference.
7. Know your frequencies
Interference can often occur as a result of too many technologies crowding the same frequency channel. A way of counteracting this is to advise those requiring a larger wireless range to use a 5GHz network, which can offer more transmission channels than the overused 2.4GHz. More and more devices now support 5GHz including a number of smartphones.
8. Use the right equipment
Domestic Wi-Fi equipment and lower cost business equipment does not have the advanced antennas and management capabilities to deal with interference effectively. Higher-end professional equipment can automatically work around interference and deliver a much stronger, higher quality connection.
Tom McInerney, director of Etherlive, said: “Technology is becoming more integrated with events than ever before, and the demand for good quality connectivity is really evident; we’ve been in a number of meetings recently where the delivery of Wi-Fi networks has presented a challenge due to interference. Consequently organisers are increasingly working with technology partners to achieve peace of mind that the correct IT infrastructure is in place prior to the event, and that specialists are on-site during the event to minimise interference or prevent it altogether.”
Live Event Footfall Analysis set to empower venues in 2013
Details
Category: Technology
Created on Thursday, 13 December 2012 12:02
Award-winning technology service provider Etherlive has introduced Live Event Footfall Analysis (LEFA) to its collection of pioneering innovative technologies that have helped transform the event sector in recent years.
Showcased by Etherlive at the Showman’s Show this year, LEFA is a solution designed to empower event organisers and sponsors. Using this tool, organisers will be able to better understand and analyse the movement of attendees at their events. With the ability to identify popular areas of the site, event coordinators can strategically place concessions, merchandising stands and sponsor positions to maximise exposure.
The system was used successfully at events such as the PSP Southampton Boat Show, which took place between the 14th and 23rd September 2012 and Goodwood Festival of Speed; Etherlive worked with the organisers to monitor attendee movement between areas of the site, identify popular zones around the event and carry out a count of attendees. This was especially important for Goodwood Festival of Speed organisers, who were keen to decipher the popularity of new site areas.
To install LEFA, high quality, waterproof monitoring camera stations are deployed overhead at key points around the event. The cameras are then used to count passing guests using advanced algorithms to differentiate between people. Each counting station is then connected using Etherlive’s on-site network back to a live reporting server, from which a live dashboard can be viewed and immediate reporting is available. After the event, a detailed report can be generated by Etherlive highlighting peak periods, total counts and other data points.
Tom McInerney, director of Etherlive, said: “We anticipate that LEFA will be in high demand in 2013 by organisers wishing to monitor their events more closely be it for licensing reasons or to obtain data about attendee flow. The growing demand from organisers is leading the way, and it is up to us to find new ways to exceed their expectations time and time again.”
Brand Book Live brought together 40 event planners on 12 November
Brands and agencies
Event planners from the UK’s leading brands and top agencies shared key challenges and opportunities for the year ahead during Brand Book Live at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Hampshire hotel in London’s Leicester Square.
The event was an opportunity for event planners to delve into the issues facing six industry sectors: automotive; financial; food and drink; IT/telecoms; pharmaceutical; and retail.
More than 40 event organisers shared their experiences of the past year, including the effects of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as forecasting the events landscape in 2013.
Agencies including Grass Roots, George P Johnson, Smyle, Crown Business Communications, DRP Group, Carlson Wagonlit, Line Up, DBMT and BCD MI were among those joining the discussions on issues such as budgets, client expectations and sustainability.
Key points raised by each sector:
Automotive
Product launches continuing but brands looking at them differently – not always the big global launch, more local level launches, and pooling resources across brands to save costs.
Incentives slowly coming back but the focus is not just on sales performance – factors such as customer satisfaction and after sales playing a key role.
2013 is looking positive but budgets are still not signed off, even for events planned for Jan/Feb so lead times can be challenging.
Lots of potential for new business wins for agencies in the sector
Financial
2012 was largely a positive year for the financial sector
Events remain under the radar – perception is still a key challenge
Christmas parties will never recover to previous levels – they are now smaller local level events
2013 outlook – budgets to remain flat and it will be tough to maintain levels of 2012
Food drink
Olympics has been good for the sector at sponsor level and providing hospitality options
Overseas travel is an option again for meetings and incentives
Opportunities for agencies to grow in this sector
Some agencies are forecasting a cautious 2013
IT/telecoms
Short-termism is a key challenge, with reactive events in response to RD advances, as well as set calendar events, making it hard to plan ahead.
As a fast-growing sector, it is an exciting arena in which to work, with competition between companies such as Samsung and Apple driving new products.
Agencies need to be creative and flexible, but the need to have a culture that resonates with the brand is more important than being a large or established agency, so there are lots of opportunities for smaller agencies.
Sustainability will play a large part in the future of the market, as technology helps other businesses meet sustainability goals.
Pharmaceutical
The pharma sector is not recession proof, contrary to popular belief, and in 2012 it was had a negative year due to the economic turmoil/ tougher regulation and in some cases embargoes on travel.
Contrary to newspaper reports, the table reported that research and development is being heavily invested in to bring new drugs to market.
Small and foreign meetings have had budgets cut, but Christmas parties still occur. 2013 is expected to be largely the same, but many bookings have occurred further into the future due to congresses.
The Olympics was shunned across the board by pharma companies, unless they had a sporting tie, with hospitality still a murky area.
Retail
There is no broad brush approach in retail, with some companies choosing to focus on face-to-face and achieving success, with others cost-saving through digital methods and seeing mixed results.
The whole marcomms strategy is more important than an individual event.
A focus on driving value over spend – clients might reduce the number of nights, or go for a four-star hotel rather than a five-star.
Increased acknowledgement of culture both internationally and within the company across regions.
LONDON, Oct 15, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Savvy event planners will find just enough luck in 2013 to host
exceptional events at a 13 percent savings with an exciting offer
from a stylish London conference hotel.
The Make 2013 Lucky deal is offered by the prestigious London
Marriott Hotel Marble Arch, where meeting rooms in downtown London
allow event planners to shine amidst graceful accommodations and
state-of-the-art services. Featuring natural daylight, private
pre-function areas and flexible meeting space, these London
conference rooms are ideal for business gatherings, corporate
meetings and grand social affairs as they not only offer exceptional
space, but feature the Marriott’s renowned service with dedicated
event organisers and skilled culinary professionals.
The Make 2013 Lucky promotion allows event planners who book before
January 15, 2013 to save 13 percent on delegate rates for meetings or
events held between January 1 and March 31, 2013. In addition,
Marriott Rewards points can also be earned for added savings. Savvy
event planners looking for a location that will impress their clients
and guests while netting some serious savings may contact the hotel
sales team at 44-20-7723 1277 and reference quote code LUCK13.
Conveniently located in the heart of the city and within walking
distance of the financial district, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, West
End Theatres and some of the area’s finest restaurants, the
conference rooms of this London boutique hotel provide event planners
with the flexibility needed to meet even the most discriminating
needs. From personal dining to full service catering, a complete line
of audio-visual services and skilled technicians, this London hotel
special offers a unique opportunity to host an inspirational event
while saving money in the process.
On-site amenities include a fully equipped leisure club with a 12.5
meter indoor heated pool for relaxation and two restaurants offering
breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that range from fast grab ‘n go
snacks to full-service dining. Traditional afternoon tea is also
available in Chats Cafe Bar. Executives will appreciate the hotel’s
business services designed to help them maintain a productive
schedule while traveling and an executive lounge is available on the
top floor offering panoramic London views and added comforts.
About the London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch
The London Marriott
Hotel Marble Arch welcomes both leisure and business travelers to one
of London’s most vibrant districts, where casual elegance and easy
access to popular attractions combine to create a remarkable London
experience. Offering 240 spacious guest rooms, all featuring
comfortable sitting space, a dedicated work area, high-speed Internet
access, cotton-rich bedding ensembles and 24-hour room service, this
four-star hotel is a premier London hotel destination.
The events industry’s leading and most used venue finding website has today launched its brand new Express Meetings service.
Designed to minimise event planners’ workloads with a speedy and cost effective service, the Express Meetings service provides a real improvement to the user experience and significant efficiency benefits.
Kate Hewitt, venuefinder.com Publisher said “We’re really excited to introduce this new element to the site. We constantly look for ways to enhance the user experience and are acutely aware of the value of time saving services to busy events professionals. If you need a meeting room and know where you want to go but don’t have the time to do all the organising, the Express Meetings service is the answer!”
All users need to do is provide the venuefinder.com team of experts with an enquiry and required venue and they will do all the hard work of negotiating the best possible rates and booking the venue; all within two hours of placing an enquiry.
The venuefinder.com team are experienced in sourcing a huge range of venues and negotiating rates for conferences, events and meetings. Their unique selling point is their knowledge, with each member of the team personally visiting hundreds of venues every year, in the UK and over seas, to make sure that they provide the best advice and value for users of the service.
To make an enquiry or for further information visit the website at http://www.venuefinder.com or contact the team on +44(0)1780-483012.
Notes to editors
About venuefinder.com / bluegreen
Recognised by the meetings and events industry as an essential starting point for any venue search, venuefinder.com / bluegreen are used on a daily basis by a diverse variety of event organisers from agencies to associations to corporate organisations.
Published by Confex Group, the leading provider of event industry shows; International Confex and Live Experience.
PackagingConnections.com invites notifications from event coordinators Wednesday, August 01, 2012 08:00 IST Our Bureau, Mumbai
PackagingConnections.com, the leading online resource for all things packaging, invites event notices and notifications. The website offers organisers to reach over 78,000 members. The website is home to innovators, sponsors, businesses, suppliers, recruiters and specialists in the field of packaging. The portal is an excellent launchpad for any packaging related event.
Reaching out to event organisers, Sandeep Goyal, founder CEO, PackagingConnections.com, said, “Organisers and coordinators put in an incredible amount of effort to make an event a success. We at PackagingConnections.com are a great tool for you to find world renowned packaging specialists and speakers, sponsors and reach your relevant target audiences. We are one of the favourite hotspots of the packaging fraternity. This makes us the ideal notice board for finding quality content and connection to help make your event a success.”
Aberdeen Convention Bureau showcases region to German event organisers
Friday, 11 May 2012 11:39
Venues Events
Aberdeen Convention Bureau showcases region to German event organisers
Aberdeen’s reputation as a business tourism destination is being strengthened by new direct flights from Frankfurt. The North-east’s castles, hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities recently played host to a group of German event planners and incentive travel buyers brought to the region by Aberdeen Convention Bureau to showcase all it has to offer.
Aberdeen Convention Bureau regularly organises trips and site visits as part of its work to promote Aberdeen as an attractive business tourism destination.
New direct flights between Frankfurt and Aberdeen have proved to be hugely successful for operator Lufthansa, opening up opportunities for European delegates to fly to the North-east in just two hours.
The group of seven visitors included representatives of several influential event management, marketing and incentive travel organisers, who arrange meetings and reward trips on behalf of clients.
The two-day trip included visits to Fyvie and Crathes Castles, whisky tasting at the Glen Garioch Distillery at Oldmeldrum, lunches at Meldrum Country House Hotel Golf Course and Malmaison Aberdeen, dinner at Howies restaurant and a tour of Skene House HotelSuites.
As well as overnight accommodation at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, the visitors were also taken on scenic tours of the city, Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside, while the highlight of their trip to Crathes was a croquet lesson on the lawn by members of the Crathes Croquet Club.
The visit was hosted by Aberdeen Convention Bureau, Lufthansa and VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit, with in-kind support from the hotels, restaurants and venues.
Lis Schröder, of event planners S-squared GmbH, said she would be recommending Aberdeen to her clients. “Aberdeen is really a great destination. Following this trip, I will be trying to promote this region to my clients in Germany. There are so many reasons why Aberdeen and the region are ideal for them, including the variety of golf courses, distilleries, castles and great shopping.”
Amanda Henderson, Marketing Manager (Europe) at VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit said: “The launch of Lufthansa’s thrice-daily service from Aberdeen to Frankfurt is a great opportunity to really place Aberdeen and Shire on the map with corporate travel agents in Germany and beyond.
“This collaboration with Aberdeen Convention Bureau and Lufthansa provided us with the perfect stage for German event planners to experience the excellent tourism product in the region first hand.
“We were particularly impressed by the high quality of the hotels and venues we visited – business tourism clients tend to have very high demands. I was also struck by the genuine enthusiasm displayed by everyone who met us. There’s great hunger for tourism to work here, and this is really encouraging.”
Aberdeen Convention Bureau’s Sales and Marketing Manager Alesia du Plessis said the increased connectivity was beneficial to delegates travelling to events as well as organisers keen to utilise the North-east’s unique venues, castles and distilleries.
“Aberdeen is a strong contender in terms of business tourism and Aberdeen Convention Bureau is constantly out there raising the profile of the city, which has great connections to all of the major hubs,” she said.
“New air routes such as the direct service between Aberdeen and Frankfurt opens up the opportunities for meeting and event planners who are looking for a compact but major city which has so much to offer, with historic castles, unique venues and world-class golf courses on its doorstep.
“Aberdeen Convention Bureau provides free support that could help to secure a future event for the city, working in close partnership with our industry partners to promote Aberdeen.
“Developments such as the Trump golf resort, new international hotel brands and increased connectivity mean we can welcome a bigger share of the global meetings and conference market.”
The team at Aberdeen Convention Bureau proactively promotes Aberdeen City and Shire to attract new conferences to the region, organising and hosting site inspection visits with invited conference organisers, to showcase the North-east’s best venues and facilities.
With economic pressure, Personal Assistants and event planners everywhere are looking for new solutions for events that they wouldn’t have necessarily considered just twelve months ago.
With economic pressure forcing London’s Corporate Companies to shift their thinking regarding budgets and hosting events and parties, Personal Assistants and event planners everywhere are looking for new solutions that they wouldn’t have necessarily considered just twelve months ago. There is a clear trend growing away from swanky to quirky, and from pricey to value added venues for all kinds of events.
London’s bar industry is taking note and some are going to great lengths to prepare for this changing of the guard. Adventure Bar in Covent Garden is one such venue. They have taken the bold step of producing a brand new website dedicated purely to the corporate party organiser, and according to owner Tobias Jackson, this forward thinking will reap rewards. Confirming this, Tobias says “We have always had corporate parties but for the first time, we have created a brand new corporate product. It is really exciting to give event organisers the opportunity to build an event from scratch that quite literally they couldn’t get elsewhere.”
It’s a bold step when everyone else is cutting back, but is spending money on a new website really the way to go at this time? “Companies still have clients to entertain.” Tobias continues, “What we are doing is giving them the option of having a great location, but instead of blowing a budget on a beautiful but ultimately boring marble roomed venue with no atmosphere, they can spend their money on entertainment and atmosphere, as well as exciting drinks and food.” Adventure Bar will for the first time also allow guests to make and shake their own cocktails under expert tuition. “This is a very exciting option and something that we have decided to provide for free. They can make any one of our over 100 cocktails with the help of our world class bartenders, and that’s something you can’t put a price on.” says Tobias.
Whether Adventure Bar’s gamble will pay off, remains to be seen. However, with the Olympics in London this year, and with Christmas party planning already just round the corner, quirky venues really could be the big winners in the corporate event industry in 2012.
Adventure Bar’s new website can be seen at www.corporate.adventurebar.co.uk
For further comment or for more information, please speak to Tobias Jackson (Director of Adventure Bar) by calling 020 8099 7421 or, email tobias.j@adventurebar.co.uk
LONDON, April 27, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ – With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations fast approaching, PublicLiabilityInsurance.org, a leading resource and quote comparison website for public liability insurance in the UK would like to remind event organisers that they could be held personally liable for any injuries or property damage at their events.
With over 2.5 million people in the UK expected to attend parties celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June, accidental injury or property damage is inevitable and public liability insurance (PLI) will offer added peace of mind for event organisers should the worst happen.
Public liability insurance (PLI) will protect event planners should they be sued for injury to a person, or for loss or damage to property.
James Buck, a spokesperson for PublicLiabilityInsurance.org and industry expert, said: “Whilst there is no UK law that makes insurance for these types of events mandatory, as an organiser of the event you could be held personally liable should something go wrong, and having the proper public liability cover in place will give you that added financial protection and peace of mind.
“Organisers can purchase different levels of cover, from 1m pounds Sterling up to more than 10m pounds. How much they need will vary according to the type of event and the number of people going, but we recommend that you contact your local council first as some authorities have taken out blanket cover on behalf of all street parties in their area or have dropped the insurance requirement entirely, and if you live in an area where you need a local authority licence for your event, PLI may be a requirement.
“As with most types of insurance cover it’s really a case of planning for the unknown. In terms of what can go wrong, the overall risks at street party events are usually quite low, but that’s not to say a claim won’t arise from injury or property damage during the party.
“Street parties are a fun and celebratory event, they are not inherently dangerous events therefore in most cases it’s the slips, trips and falls (both during the event and setting up) that can cause event organisers legal issues.
“For example, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says that almost four in 10 children who hurt themselves on trampolines are so badly injured that they require operations. If you are not fully insured against this kind of accident, the cost of medical bills can snowball.
“In today’s society people are increasingly aware of their legal rights and their ability to claim compensation, and we advise that street party organisers seek independent professional advice for their specific event requirements.”
Notes to Editor:
About PublicLiabilityInsurance.org
PublicLiabilityInsurance.org provides detailed information and guidance on the importance of Public Liability Protection for individuals and small business. We understand that finding the right type of business insurance can be a tricky and somewhat daunting task.
Our aim is to provide individuals with the information they need to choose the level of insurance cover that will protect themselves and their business should the worst happen.
Contact: James Buck 07528299263 contact(at)publicliabilityinsurance(dot)org
