Conferences and Events – What’s in Store in 2015

 

Athens – The Acropolis by night

Over the last few years there has been an unprecedented and systemic shift in the global conferences and events industry, there is little doubt that this shift will continue and that the pace of change will increase throughout 2015.  The incredible rise of new event technology is influencing every stage of the planning and preparation process. The traditional methods of learning and networking are no longer seen as effective as they once were; primarily because everyone is so easily distracted by the plethora of digital devices at their disposal.

Event planners are responding to these new challenges by creating more interdisciplinary events, by bringing new voices from new sectors into the experience, to deliver more layered meaning and greater context. The new generation of conference participants want a creative mix of global perspectives connecting thought leaders both within and around, as well as from outside their specific industry.

Standard meeting setups are being reconstructed, based on an increasing realisation that informal learning and networking are driving as much business as the more formal meeting processes of the past. Audience response applications and the multitude of web-based platforms are shifting delegates from being passive observers to more active participants, delivering more focussed and targeted discussions. Items such as wearable technology and virtual/ augmented reality will, without any doubt, further push these trends.

New event Apps – are changing the event landscape

Event apps have evolved far beyond just being add-on components to the meetings and event experience. Today, they are the experience. Modern apps are now sophisticated knowledge hubs hosting schedules, speaker and attendee profiles, session content, in-app messaging and social media user generated content. Planners are also able to use event apps to deliver updates, reports and a full range of event data to meeting organisers.Event websites are evolving to create hybrid events marrying face-to-face and virtual experiences with content posting months before and after the physical event, to extend attendee engagement and expand participant reach. Planners are using these platforms to source new ideas and empower attendees to virtually co-create events.

Destination marketing organisations and tourism boards are adapting by expanding on their traditional roles of basic tourism promotion into proactive roles as economic and product development accelerators. Those at the very leading edge are bringing their local business, academic, creative and cultural influencers together with visiting groups to add more value and build long-term business relationships.

“The event of the future will be a hybrid mechanism of both live and virtual engagement, connecting more people through more channels, over much longer periods of time to leverage the collective knowledge off the whole community.” (skift.com Megatrends defining travel in 2015)

What’s Ahead for the Business Traveller in 2015

To start with 2015 will be a year of new aircraft with both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 WXB (Extra wide body) entering extended service with the worlds airlines over a range of long haul routes.

Qatar Airways is the launch customer for the new Airbus, which according to both the makers and the airline operating the aircraft, “introduces the next generation of flying to todays traveller”, and their first aircraft is already operating on services between Doha and various European points.

Both the 787 and the A350 bring a number of improvements to the experience for the long haul traveller; with quieter cabins, a combination of more acoustic lining and more efficient engines; LED mood lightening and darkened windows to assist with the sleep cycle and cleaner air, as a result of the air being renewed more often. Both aircraft are built as ‘so-called’ jetlag busters and the overall winner in the experience will be the passenger.

If you want to see a comparison between the 787 and the A350 – take a look at this New Zealand Herald Article that does just that:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11304892

But for all the hype and exposure that airlines receive as the highest profile sector in the global travel industry, for all the media attention that online travel companies and new digital tools and services get, the future of travel where both design and user-experience meet, is the global hospitality industry!

Comprising the organised hotels sector, the holiday rentals sector, and the still very new and developing sharing economy sector – the hospitality industry is driving most of the innovation in travel right now. For the first time since online booking of travel became mainstream, hotels are being rewired and rethought from top to bottom, and every obvious part of hospitality is being turned over, questioned, and redesigned.

Hotels are building direct links to customers in the digital space and customer service is being rethought through both social media and mobile tools. Within the property hotels are reconfiguring lobbies and changing how customers check in, as well as everything about the customer experience inside a hotel room, entertainment inside the hotel, and food & beverage offerings, as well. Most major chains in the hotel industry are figuring out the right mix of digital and human interactions to create guest experiences that are personalised enough while respecting privacy, as consumers demand a whole lot more.

On the alternative accommodations side, the world of holiday rentals is fast colliding with the sharing economy and we can all expect to see some fascinating results from this over the next year or so. One big result of all this activity is that consumers become more and more aware of creative options to stay and spend time, and the real-time availability of an extended inventory becomes a reality.

On the front end of this, companies like Airbnb, HomeAway, Luxury Retreats, and other new startups will continue to drive the market, while on the backend side, a whole new layer of software and price optimisation is professionalizing the sector fast.

All of which leads to a win/win situation for both the business and the leisure consumer.

AUTO CHINA’S 15th ANNIVERSARY

This year marks the 15th for the great Auto China exhibition.

From April 27 until May 1, 2013, Shanghai New International Expo Centre will play host to the fastest-growing auto show in the world.

Auto China has come to be a stage for the showcasing of leading-edge technology and innovative design, with the opportunity to see and compare a wide range of brands that will be promoting what they have to offer.

AUTO CHINA – CORPORATE BLUE STUDY TOUR

There’s no better way to experience Auto China than a Corporate Blue study tour. Our team is there every year, which has given us great insight into how the event is run. We’ve got the behind the scenes knowledge to help you successfully plan your time at the expo so you can make the most of it; there’s a lot to see and never quite enough time!

We’ll also give you a greater understanding of the auto business in China, with planned visits to local car dealerships which will show you what it’s like to operate in the world’s fastest growing car market.

You’ll further benefit from our fantastic dinners and functions, where you’ll have a chance to network with the rest of the tour group, new friends and colleagues and the Corporate Blue team.

We’re also experts on the city of Shanghai and endeavour to make your trip as fun and memorable as possible. You’ll visit some of the best upmarket venues, discover the city during a full-day Shanghai tour and wind each night down with cocktails in stylish environments.

Visit http://www.autochina.com.au/ for more information. Registration must close March 31^st, 2013.

VEGAS, BABY!

I’m sure we could all use a few nights in Las Vegas. Surveying the streets. Scoping the sights. Sampling the Strip. That’s exactly what our Groups Consultant, Kate Thomas, did recently.

She was in Vegas for four nights with a group of lucky property developers who were there for their incentive trip. They had been working hard and had definitely earned their time in the Nevada desert. When asked what the trip highlight was, Kate stared off into the distance for a few seconds, smiling. “Every new day beat the day before it,” she replied.

2018 WORLD CUP STADIUMS

It’s only fitting that the 2018 World Cup Finals will be held in Russia; the largest sporting event in the world hosted by the largest country in the world.

11 cities will host the thrilling games during FIFA’s one month spectacular, which has been played every four years since 1930 (except 1942 and 1946 due to the Second World War).

Here’s a look at some of the stadiums that will be created before kick off in 2018!

SINGAPORE’S NEWEST FIVE-STAR GREEN HOTEL

The five-star PARKROYAL on Pickering, Singapore opened this month. The property is touted as the city state’s first “hotel in a garden” with almost 15,000 square meters of hanging gardens, waterfalls and green walls.

 

STEP BACK IN TIME

Feeling nostalgic?
Here are four ancient and awe-inspiring sites that shadow even the most fashionable contemporary attractions.

Pompeii, Italy

BETTER SMART THAN SORRY

Whether you’re an inexperienced or seasoned traveller, Smarttraveller is definitely worth visiting when preparing for any overseas trip.

An invaluable resource provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smarttraveller not only helps Australians before they take off, but also in the event of emergencies when overseas.

So what can you use smarttraveller for?

THEY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN!

Did you hear?…

Akama Resort – Hervey Bay

The Travellers’ Choice, ‘Best Hotels’ for 2012 have been selected. Among the list are some of Australia’s finest resorts, spas, hotels, retreats and apartments.