White Paper person events to virtual audiences , compared to their North American counterparts ( 17 %). Of the APAC respondents planning a hybrid 2021 event , nearly 80 % planned for their in-person and virtual audiences to interact , compared with 27 % of North American planners .
Learning from global leaders Beyond digitalisation , the White Paper highlights three innovation pillars to successfully reimagine the industry : Business Models ; Delegate Experience ; and Talent & Capabilities .
STB , PCMA and UFI obtained perspectives from international industry practitioners who embraced and exemplified these considerations , adopted a growth mindset and piloted successful concepts . The case studies from Singapore , Australia , Italy and the US include those from event planners and organisers , venue and tour operators , industry and trade associations and a multi-sector recovery taskforce .
For example , the Italian Society of Anaesthesia , Analgesia , Resuscitation and Intensive Care worked with AIM Group International to redefine the format of their annual congress . They organised a roadshow across eight Italian cities using a truck that housed a studio , from which content was broadcast on big screens . This enabled the society to meet and deliver content safely to its members in person , including healthcare partners on the frontlines of the pandemic .
The case studies also underscore the need for business event professionals to cultivate skills in high-demand areas including broadcasting , content production and cyber security .
To facilitate knowledge sharing in Singapore , the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers ( SACEOS ) developed a Strategic
Narratives & Digital Content Marketing Masterclass and also partnered the National Trades Union Congress to establish the MICE and Events Capability Building Network , which aims to share best practices across industries .
Keith Tan , chief executive , Singapore Tourism Board , said : “ The pandemic has emphasised the need to innovate and be nimble in the business events sector . This journey of transformation is not a sprint , but a marathon that extends beyond the pandemic . As Singapore gradually scales up our capacity for larger business events , we hope that resources such as this White Paper will continue to guide our local MICE industry to build new capabilities and reimagine the future of business events .”
Sherrif Karamat , president and CEO , PCMA , said : “ Our success in emerging from the pandemic is dependent on our ability to solve the transformational challenges of our audiences . The pandemic forced us to look at how we deliver on what our audiences need and what they want to be successful for the future . While the pandemic has changed the way our audiences engage with business events , it has not altered their desired outcomes from these events .”
Kai Hattendorf , managing director and CEO , UFI , added : “ Business event companies and their customers across Asia-Pacific have shown themselves to be more open to digital business developments than their global peer group . And looking forward , exhibitors in Asia are now much more optimistic about their budgets than they were in summer 2020 . We hope that this White Paper is useful in showing some of the approaches and opportunities that lie ahead for business events as the fastest of all fast tracks for economic recovery .”
The full White Paper can be downloaded from the stb . gov . sg website .
Singex-Sphere brings in new group CEO
Singapore ’ s SingEx-Sphere Holdings has appointed Jean-François Quentin ( pictured below ), to the new role of group CEO . He took up the post on 1 August .
The company has also rebranded as Constellar , which follows the merger in February of the MICE portfolio company of Temasek - SingEx Holdings - and subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings Limited - Sphere Exhibits - to form SingEx-Sphere Holdings .
Constellar appears to be looking to expand internationally “ via both organic curation and inorganic investments ”.
Robin Hu , chairman of Constellar Holdings , said : “ The Constellar brand name and logo reflect our vision to become a global leader in the MICE experience space by activating impactful networks that connect our partners to global marketplaces for sustainable growth .”
Quentin is a 20-year veteran of the exhibitions and media industry and was most recently divisional managing director at RX France ( Reed Exhibitions ). Previously , he was president and CEO of UBM Brazil ( now part of Informa Markets ) where he led many acquisitions in the health and energy sectors . He was also CEO and a founding member of the management team of easyFairs from 2004 to 2014 .
Quentin said : “ I am delighted to join and lead the newly formed Constellar as Group CEO at this time of change and consolidation for the event industry which will bring many business opportunities in digital and live events . I ’ m excited to work with the leadership team to accelerate Constellar ’ s pathways for growth and advancing Constellar as a leading global player , event and trade show platform .”
www . exhibitionworld . co . uk Issue 4 2021 45