Local Expertise Makes the Difference in Asia Meetings Market
Photo Credit: Visitors having a group dinner in Singapore. Asian destinations are gaining traction for meetings and events from global organizations. Singapore Tourism Board
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With Asia becoming a more popular meetings destination for Western organizations, events professionals need to understand local capabilities and cultural nuances. Often, local assistance on the ground can be the difference between success and failure.
As business travel and the global economy have surged in recent years, the need to hold events and meetings in more diverse locations across the world has increased in tandem.
Multinationals with operations in Asia are increasingly tempted to host events in the region, but are often surprised at the challenges. While many Asian cities look and feel like their Western counterparts, appearances can be deceptive.
“Asia is a diverse region and cultural melting pot, with each country offering very different experiences,” said Fernando Lonergan, BCD Meetings & Events’ Sydney, Australia-based senior director.
This diversity allows organizations “to do something different and give their attendees a truly unique experience”, he explained.
These differences, however, can mean that meetings organizers can’t simply copy and paste their North American or European event plans onto Hong Kong, Beijing, or Ho Chi Minh City. They need to tap
