The Thailand Innovative Meetings Exchange (TIME 2026) is the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s flagship international platform, connecting meeting and incentive buyers with Thai suppliers, destinations and industry experts. In 2026, over 110 international hosted buyers, media and, for the first time, content creators joined a six-day programme in Bangkok and Khao Lak. HQ joined them on my first visit to Thailand and Southeast Asia. The programme moved from Bangkok’s dense business environment to Khao Lak’s slower resort life in Phang Nga Province, showing the range of Thailand’s business-events proposition. Across knowledge sessions, business exchanges and experience tracks, one idea gained ground: events can create value for delegates, companies, industries, communities and people who live in host destinations.

 

Author: Jesús Guerrero Chacón

Thailand Moves From Volume to Value

TIME’s Knowledge Exchange opened in Bangkok with sessions on changing markets, technology, sustainability, buyer expectations and event design. TCEB President Dr Supawan Teerarat used The Power of Possibility to define three shifts in Thailand’s direction: volume to value, destination promoter to economy connector, and MICE as a catalyst for transformation. 

 

“The future is not simply about bringing more people to Thailand. It is about creating more value because they came,” she told delegates. For Teerarat, that meant knowledge entering the country, Thai companies meeting global partners, investment conversations beginning and opportunities reaching cities and communities. TCEB now recognises 16 certified MICE Cities, following the addition of six destinations in September 2026, each with different industries, infrastructure and local assets. TIME 2026 also took buyers beyond that network to Khao Lak, showing that destinations can support business events when their setting and offer suit the event format. Teerarat’s Power of Possibility was visible in our itinerary.

 

Thailand seeks to connect international events with healthcare, technology, the digital economy, green industries and the creative economy. MaxiMICE Thailand, introduced at IMEX Frankfurt in May 2026, translates that concept into three key areas. Convenience covers connectivity, venues and organiser support. Experience draws on Thailand’s culture, local knowledge, wellness, creativity and destination settings. Impact covers the business, knowledge, sustainability and community outcomes an event creates.

 

Right Next Door: Unlocking the Power of ASEAN’s Repeat Business added a market perspective across the 11 Southeast Asian countries that make up ASEAN. Speakers working with Singaporean, Indonesian and Filipino clients described how culture, spending patterns and previous experience of Thailand create different expectations across markets often grouped under one ASEAN label. Repeat visitors may already know Bangkok’s main temples, shopping areas and city highlights, so returning groups increasingly seek a different way into the destination through food, wellness, neighbourhoods, local production or another part of the country. ASEAN is geographically close, but its source markets are far from interchangeable.

 

  

Bangkok Links Events With Jobs and Quality of Life

When governments understand the value of business events, their role can reach into jobs, infrastructure, public services and quality of life. Bangkok’s event capacity includes three major convention hubs: IMPACT Arena, Exhibition and Convention Center (see HQ's recent interview here), Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). They serve events of different scales and sectors alongside convention hotels and an expanding transport network.

 

At TIME 2026, Dr Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok and head of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), presented Shaping Tomorrow’s Bangkok. A City Designed for MICE & Beyond. The opening slide made one change: ‘MICE & Beyond’ became ‘Everyone’.

 

“We need to improve the quality of life of our people and visitors, and increase productivity for businesses,” Sittipunt said.

 

More than 553,000 small and medium-sized businesses employ 3.6 million people in Bangkok, compared with 3.4 million across almost 8,000 large businesses. Business-event spending reaches both, from major hotels and companies to street vendors and smaller operators.

 

Those seven million workers share the transport networks, footpaths and public spaces used by delegates during major events. Bangkok’s rail network is planned to reach 11 lines, 297 stations and 466.1 kilometres by 2028. Work on 1,000 kilometres of improved footpaths aims to increase walkability and accessibility, while 530 15-minute parks have been completed and more than 2.7 million trees planted.

 

BMA vocational schools provide training from English for service to hospitality and traditional Thai massage for wellness. New hotel permit applications are moving online, open-data tools give businesses access to city information, and Traffy Fondue, a BMA digital reporting platform, lets residents report city problems and rate how completed cases were handled, giving the administration a way to track both response and resident satisfaction. Sittipunt’s TIME figures showed around 1.42 million reports, with more than 1.15 million completed.

 

“The 1.42 million complaints are not our weakness. They are trust,” Sittipunt said. Residents trust the city to respond, while organisers rely on many of the same systems to deliver their events.

 

  

Meetings Take a Different Route to Local Value in Khao Lak

After Bangkok’s fast-paced schedule of knowledge sessions, supplier meetings and urban venues, TIME took delegates by air to Phuket and then north along the Andaman coast to Khao Lak. Around 1.5 hours from Phuket International Airport, the resort destination in Phang Nga Province brought a different pace. Beachfront properties, wellness facilities, outdoor settings and more intimate meeting environments suited incentives, retreats and corporate groups with different briefs and a more relaxed rhythm.

 

International buyers met Thai and local suppliers at a second business exchange, while delegates chose among itineraries spanning temple visits, wellness, sport, adventure, nature and sustainability. TCEB coordinated those different routes within one group, putting the earlier ASEAN discussion into practice: a familiar destination can feel different when organisers offer new ways to experience it. 

 

Smaller groups, wellness sessions and shared activities created more space for informal conversation, while local businesses, community initiatives and environmental projects became part of the programme. Upcycling discarded fishing nets and plastic bottles offered one way to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability into the delegate experience.

 

Flexibility gives organisers scope to tailor meetings and incentives to varying interests, energy levels and objectives.

Explore more from TIME 2026

• Discover Bangkok’s Moment of Pulse: HQ’s picks for meeting hotels, venues and experiences in Thailand’s capital.
• Continue to Khao Lak: Discover HQ’s hotel, venue, wellness and experience picks from TIME 2026’s Moment of Calm.
• Read our interview with Dr Jaruwan Suwannasat: Thailand’s meetings economy, source markets, personalisation and the thinking behind MaxiMICE Thailand.

Thailand’s MICE offering ranges from the dense urban environment of Bangkok to the resort-led coast of Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province, providing a variety of options to suit different interests, preferences and event requirements. Many fam trips try to fit in as much as possible in a short amount of time, often moving everyone through one set itinerary. In contrast, the Thailand Innovative Meetings Exchange (TIME 2026), organised by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and BIC Event, gave more than 110 international hosted buyers, media representatives and, for the first time, content creators several ways to explore both destinations. We shared the core business and social programme while regularly splitting into smaller groups according to interests and participant profiles. This first article follows Bangkok and the places, venues and experiences that stood out for meeting planners. Khao Lak is explored separately here.

Author: Jesús Guerrero Chacón

Bangkok and the Moment of Pulse

Hotels and meeting venues

Andaz One Bangkok

The 380 sqm Andaz Ballroom can accommodate up to 300 guests for meetings and events, and can be divided into two. It features a five-metre ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a 52 sqm built-in LED screen. Two smaller Atelier rooms provide daylight spaces for board meetings and breakout sessions.

The Peninsula Bangkok

  

The St. Regis Bangkok

Coming in HQ127: Our November 2026 edition takes a deeper look at the ideas discussed during the TIME 2026 Knowledge Exchange, from TCEB’s vision for Thailand’s business events economy to Governor Dr Chadchart Sittipunt’s plans for a Bangkok that works better for events, businesses and residents alike. 

Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

Some of the new spaces that we saw during the hotel tour offer formats that go beyond conventional meeting rooms, ballrooms and boardrooms. A screening, podcast and studio room can support private screenings, interviews, recorded content, smaller presentations and media activities alongside a conference. For meeting planners who are increasingly producing content around their events, these facilities can enable them to keep more of that work in-house instead of requiring an external studio.

Experiencing Bangkok

BHAWÁ Spa and Prai Raya

  

Four Different routes through Bangkok

The Essence of Thai Beliefs explored the Erawan Shrine and shrines dedicated to Lakshmi and Ganesha around Ratchaprasong, Bangkok’s central shopping, hotel and commercial district, followed by a bracelet-making workshop at Gaysorn. The same area also hosted TIME’s Siam in Bloom welcome dinner at Raynue, Gaysorn Amarin, a contemporary Thai-led restaurant and social space with lounge, bar and terrace areas suited to private dining, networking and evening events. Thai Taste gave participants a hands-on introduction to Thai cuisine at Sompong Thai Cooking School, showcasing a culinary tradition that is already a major part of Thailand’s delegate experience. Meanwhile, Beyond the City focused on the capital’s latest hospitality offerings, with visits to Andaz One Bangkok, Chang Canvas and The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, followed by a tea ceremony.

Explore more from TIME 2026

• Continue to Khao Lak: Discover HQ’s hotel, venue, wellness and experience picks from TIME 2026’s Moment of Calm.
• Read our interview with Dr Jaruwan Suwannasat: Thailand's meetings economy, source markets, personalisation and the thinking behind MaxiMICE Thailand.
• Coming in HQ127, November 2026: Our print edition goes deeper into the TIME 2026 Knowledge and Business Exchanges, including TCEB’s vision for Thailand’s business events economy and Governor Dr Chadchart Sittipunt’s perspective on how Bangkok can develop for MICE and residents. Read the online version here. 

Phuket is one of southern Thailand’s best-known destinations and the main international gateway to the Andaman coast. Khao Lak lies on the mainland in Phang Nga Province, around one to one-and-a-half hours north of Phuket International Airport by road. The low-rise resort destination has beachfront hotels with substantial event space close to rainforest, wellness centres and locally run experiences, giving residential meetings, leadership retreats, incentive programmes and bleisure stays plenty of ways to use the destination throughout a stay.  

 

During the Thailand Innovative Meetings Exchange (TIME 2026), the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and BIC Event brought hosted buyers, media and content creators from Bangkok to Khao Lak. Under the Siam Moment theme, Khao Lak became the Moment of Calm, with business sessions, resort stays, coastline, nature and wellness creating a more relaxed rhythm for the second destination of the programme. HQ explores Bangkok’s Moment of Pulse separately here.

 

Author: Jesús Guerrero Chacón HQ's Deputy Editor

From Phuket to Khao Lak

Phuket International Airport acts as the main aviation gateway, with the journey continuing north. The transfer itself can also become part of a group programme. TIME 2026 made a stop at Beyond Skywalk Nangshi in Takua Thung before reaching Khao Lak. The 180-metre glass walkway rises around 80 metres above sea level and opens onto the limestone formations and islands of Phang Nga Bay. The property has 58 accommodation units ranging from tents and pavilions to villas, and the 114-seat Rub Tawan Restaurant is ideal for group dining.

 

Our lunch featured Southern Thai dishes and seafood sourced through the nearby Khlong Khian fishing community. Beyond Skywalk also operates under its own sustainability policy and has received a five-star Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. For incentives or leadership groups, the viewpoint, restaurant and local sourcing give the journey from Phuket a genuine programme stop before arrival at the resort.

 

  

Hotels and meeting venues

Avani+ Khao Lak Resort

Avani+ Khao Lak Resort was our first residential base on the coast. The 272-room resort has seven event rooms and more than 1,000 sqm of meeting space, centred on a 588 sqm pillarless ballroom accommodating up to 550 delegates theatre-style or 600 for cocktails.

 

Much of the resort’s appeal for groups sits outside the ballroom. Spa treatments, Muay Thai, Thailand’s traditional martial art, climbing, yoga, personal training, padel and fitness activities were available during TIME, allowing participants to choose how they used parts of the afternoon without leaving the property. Beach access and outdoor spaces add further options for morning movement, team activities and informal gatherings.

 

The beachfront Beach House hosted the Ocean Soul welcome evening, moving the group from daytime activities into dinner and networking by the sea. Meetings, sport, wellness and a social event could all take place within the same resort, reducing transfers while still giving delegates different ways to use their time.

 

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa was our second residential base, with 476 rooms, suites and villas and six event rooms covering 1,281 sqm. Its newly opened 758 sqm JW Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 800 guests, while the 270 sqm Cher Fah Ballroom can host up to 250 and be divided for smaller sessions. Outdoor venues such as the Infinity Lawn add options for receptions and social events overlooking the Andaman Sea.

 

The resort’s 27-acre JW Garden adds a particularly distinctive element to its events offer. The Environment School is led by an on-site environmentalist and introduces guests to topics including mangrove conservation, Nipa palms, reforestation, organic farming and composting. The wider sustainability programme also includes the Bamboo Shark Nursery & Conservation Center.

 

The JW Grand Ballroom and adjoining meeting spaces were also used for Seeds of Tomorrow, a team-building activity that brought together hosted buyers, media, content creators and local hosts around practical challenges linked to sustainability. The session also introduced some of the environmental programmes available through JW Garden and the Environment School, giving groups ideas that can be incorporated into future meetings, incentives and team activities. Produce grown in the garden also enters the resort’s kitchens, creating links between environmental education, food and the guest experience. Group programmes can build on the same infrastructure through garden tours, planting and conservation activities or farm-to-table experiences.

 

The resort also offers plenty of room to adjust the pace around meetings. TIME participants could start the morning with beachfront yoga, a beach run or a cultural bike ride to a nearby temple, while the extensive pool, beach and spa create obvious options for delegates adding personal time before or after an event.

 

The beachfront became an event venue itself for TIME’s final Lasting Moment. Inspired by Thailand’s Full Moon Party culture, the evening took place on a night without a full moon, so production created one through a large illuminated installation, accompanied by neon elements, music, dining and entertainment. The result showed how event production can transform a beachfront setting around a dedicated theme.

 

  

Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa

While JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa served as our residential base, TIME’s second Business Exchange took place at the separate Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa. Hosted buyers met Thai suppliers through one-to-one appointments in the Andaman Ballroom, before the programme took us through different activities including floating meditation, an herbal-bag workshop, sustainable mocktail mixology and craft sessions. Dinner at Lido Beach Restaurant & Lounge completed the evening by the coast, showing how business appointments, smaller group experiences and a social function could all be accommodated within the same property.

 

Opened in December 2024, Khao Lak Marriott Beach Resort & Spa has 283 rooms, suites and villas. Its 531 sqm Andaman Ballroom accommodates up to 560 delegates theatre-style or 550 for cocktails, complemented by smaller meeting rooms, a boardroom, function lawn and beachfront event spaces. That mix gives groups options for conferences, breakouts, outdoor receptions and incentive activities without having to move between multiple venues. 

 

  

Experiencing Khao Lak

A Different Kind of Bonding

Khao Lak’s outdoor programme gave delegates opportunities to try unfamiliar activities together, with Sky Rock Khao Lak and Salt Surf offering two very different versions of the same idea.

 

Sky Rock Khao Lak runs through the rainforest with ziplines, sky bridges, bamboo towers, suspended obstacles and climbing elements. The operator follows internationally recognised safety standards, carries out daily equipment checks and designs the course around the forest without damaging the trees. It was also where I tried a zipline for the first time. The shared nerves, encouragement and sense of achievement became part of the experience itself, which is exactly what can make this kind of activity useful for groups spending several days together.

 

At Salt Surf, the challenge moved to the sea. Beginner-friendly lessons introduced participants to balance, wave movement and the basics of surfing, with some delegates also trying it for the first time. Surfing and ziplining require very different skills, but both create space for people to encourage each other, build confidence and connect outside a conventional networking environment.

 

Nature, Care and Local Connections

Komol’s Corner Bamboo Rafting offers a much gentler way into Khao Lak’s natural environment. Two guests typically share a small bamboo raft poled through a freshwater stream near Wang Kieng Koo Waterfall. The family-run operator has been working in the area since 2004, linking nature-based tourism with local employment and community income. TIME combined the rafting with a waterway clean-up, adding an environmental action to the experience. 

 

Another route visited Khao Lak Elephant Home, where BIC Event and TCEB framed the activity around elephant welfare, nutrition and conservation. Participants prepared natural vitamin balls for the elephants and learned about their care, offering a different kind of connection with the destination through nature and animal welfare.

 

  

Wellness and Recovery 

La Vita Sana Wellness Center sits within the wider La Flora Group, a family-owned Khao Lak hospitality collection that includes several beachfront resorts and villas. This gives groups the possibility to combine meeting space, accommodation and structured wellness programmes within the same local portfolio, with options ranging from larger resorts such as La Vela and La Solaya to the 34-villa Casa de La Flora for smaller executive or premium incentive groups.

 

La Vita Sana itself combines traditional Thai medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine with contemporary wellness treatments and two event spaces. The 160 sqm Vanilla Sky Meeting Room accommodates up to 80 theatre-style, while the 875 sqm Marquee Grand Hall can host around 600 theatre-style or 800 for cocktails. Multi-night wellness programmes can also be incorporated into stays at several La Flora Group properties, creating scope for retreats where meetings sit alongside nutrition, sleep and stress management, movement and treatments.

 

During TIME 2026, our programme began with a Food as Medicine lunch and a workshop making Ya Dom, the herbal inhalers commonly used in Thailand. Participants then chose between sound healing, hot-and-cold contrast therapy or a consultation combining Thai and Chinese medicine followed by a head and shoulder massage. The range showed how wellness can be built into a group programme at different levels, from a single afternoon to a multi-day retreat, without asking every delegate to follow the same path.

 

An active morning, a focused business session, time to reset and dinner on the beach can all fit into the same day. In Khao Lak, the Moment of Calm came from having the freedom to change pace.

 

  

Explore more from TIME 2026

• Discover Bangkok’s Moment of Pulse: HQ’s picks for meeting hotels, venues and experiences in Thailand’s capital.
• Read our interview with Dr Jaruwan Suwannasat: Thailand’s meetings economy, source markets, personalisation and the thinking behind MaxiMICE Thailand.
• Coming in HQ127, November 2026: our print feature looks deeper into the TIME 2026 Knowledge and Business Exchanges, TCEB’s wider strategy and the role business events can play in Thailand’s destinations and communities. Read the online version here.

 

A new international convention subsidy is giving associations and event organisers another reason to consider Osaka, with support available for qualifying events through March 2033 and a major new MICE development on the horizon.

For associations deciding where their next international congress, conference or rotating meeting should be held, destination selection is increasingly about more than the strength of a venue or the attractiveness of a city. Financial support, institutional backing, local expertise and the ability to build a credible long-term proposition around an event can all influence a bid. Osaka is now putting those elements together.

A new international convention subsidy has been established jointly by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, creating a dedicated framework intended to attract and support qualifying international conventions held in Osaka Prefecture. Applications cover events taking place from 1 April 2026 through 31 March 2033, giving associations several years in which to consider Osaka within their international rotation and bidding strategies.

The initiative is particularly relevant to associations whose congresses connect with sectors in which Osaka has identified particular strengths. These include life sciences, craftsmanship, environment and energy, international finance, sports, gastronomy and entertainment, as well as themes capable of generating innovation or strengthening the competitiveness of industries in Osaka.

The programme therefore goes beyond a generic incentive to bring more international meetings to the city. It is explicitly connected to Osaka's economic and industrial priorities, positioning international conventions as instruments for knowledge exchange, investment, tourism and business development.

What qualifying events need to meet

For organisers, the criteria are relatively clear. The destination must still be undecided when the application is made, meaning the programme is designed to influence the bidding and destination-selection stage rather than retrospectively subsidise an event that has already committed to Osaka. The convention must take place over at least three days and attract a minimum of 50 participants, including at least 20 non-Japanese participants living overseas. It must also involve at least three countries or regions, including Japan, and take place at a facility within Osaka Prefecture.

There is a further distinction for associations seeking support specifically to entice an international convention to Osaka. In addition to meeting the core requirements, the organiser must be an international organisation or association and the event must rotate between at least three countries or regions. Applications for this strand must be made through a Japanese representative or association connected to the convention.

The subsidy also comes with an important non-duplication condition: qualifying events cannot simultaneously receive certain grants or subsidies from Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce, the national government or other local municipalities. Organisers therefore need to consider the programme alongside, rather than simply on top of, other public funding arrangements.

For associations accustomed to planning congresses several years ahead, the length of the programme may be as significant as the financial support itself. A convention rotating between international destinations can require decisions well before the event year, and Osaka is effectively signalling that it wants to be considered as part of those longer-term conversations.
 

A destination proposition that extends beyond the subsidy

The financial programme is only one part of Osaka's offer. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) provides support across the bidding, planning and delivery stages. For events still competing for a host destination, this can include assistance with bid strategy, venue and hotel quotations, destination information, official invitation letters, lobbying support, site visits and access to financial support mechanisms.

Once an event has been awarded to Osaka, the support can extend into operational delivery. The OCTB can assist with introductions to PCOs, event planners and travel agencies, venue bookings, cultural and post-convention programmes, promotional activity, coordination with government and local economic organisations, visitor information and official welcome messages.

There is also practical support for the experience surrounding the conference itself, including cultural performances, locally relevant experiences, sustainable novelties and Osaka products, alongside certain forms of shuttle support for qualifying international conventions.

For an association, that matters because the destination proposition increasingly forms part of the delegate proposition. A strong congress bid is not only about securing plenary space and accommodation; it is also about demonstrating how the host city can contribute to the wider intellectual, cultural and social experience of the meeting.

Looking towards 2030

There is another reason Osaka's timing is significant. The subsidy programme is being developed against the backdrop of the city's next major MICE development: the Osaka Integrated Resort (IR), currently under construction on Yumeshima and targeting an opening in autumn 2030. The project is planned as a large integrated complex combining hotels, convention space, restaurants, entertainment and other facilities.

For the meetings industry, the convention component is particularly relevant. Plans call for a major international conference and exhibition complex, with the largest event room intended to accommodate more than 6,000 people and total capacity across the facilities expected to exceed 12,000.

That places the subsidy and the IR on the same strategic timeline. Osaka is not simply seeking events for the next few seasons; it is building a proposition that can evolve as new capacity comes online. The IR is also being developed on Yumeshima, the artificial island that hosted Expo 2025. According to the OCTB, the project is expected to attract around 20 million visitors annually once operational, while contributing to the wider Kansai economy and creating approximately 15,000 on-site jobs.

For international associations, the implications are potentially significant. A destination that already combines established convention infrastructure with a substantial pipeline of new capacity gives planners the possibility of matching different event formats to different stages of Osaka's development.
 

Building the ecosystem around the event

Perhaps the more interesting aspect of Osaka's approach is the degree to which the destination is attempting to build an ecosystem around the convention itself. The OCTB describes its model as a collaboration between Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and the local economic sector. Its support extends from bid development through to event operation, with the bureau positioning itself as a bridge between organisers and the city's venues, suppliers, government bodies, tourism infrastructure and business community.

That is particularly relevant for associations. International congresses can generate value well beyond delegate expenditure, particularly when their scientific, professional or commercial communities connect with local institutions and industries. Osaka's subsidy criteria reflect this thinking by giving particular attention to fields connected to the city's economic strengths and to events capable of contributing to innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The result is a proposition that is less about subsidising an event in isolation and more about using international meetings as part of a wider destination strategy. For organisers currently reviewing future host cities, Osaka therefore presents a proposition with three distinct layers: financial support for qualifying conventions, hands-on destination assistance, and a major expansion of MICE infrastructure on the horizon.

With the subsidy programme running until March 2033, associations planning their next international rotation have a considerable window in which to explore the opportunity. And with the Osaka IR expected to open in 2030, the destination's proposition is likely to look substantially different by the end of that period.

For Osaka, the ambition is also explicit: use the combination of international conventions, local economic strengths, coordinated destination support and new infrastructure to move further up the global MICE hierarchy and towards the OCTB's stated goal of becoming Asia's No. 1 meeting and event destination.
 

Check out their Meeting & Event Support for Organisers
 

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Today's scientific and association meetings are expected to do more than bring people together. They create opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and connect delegates with the people, places and industries shaping the future.

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef offers exactly that. Surrounded by two World Heritage-listed environments, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, the destination provides access to globally significant ecosystems where research is not just discussed, it is happening every day. Delegates can step beyond the conference room to experience fieldwork, hear from researchers and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and innovations shaping our environment.

Tropical North Queensland’s expertise extends well beyond the natural environment. It has established strengths in tropical health, agriculture, marine and maritime industries, renewable energy and environmental science. These sectors address many of today's biggest global issues, from climate resilience and food security to public health and sustainable development. Bringing conferences to Cairns & Great Barrier Reef gives delegates the opportunity to learn from leading experts while connecting with industries tackling these challenges firsthand.
 

Research is also embedded throughout the destination. Institutions including James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine are internationally recognised for their work in tropical science, medicine and environmental research. Their close links with industry create opportunities for technical visits, guest speakers and collaborative programs that add genuine depth to conference content and leave delegates with practical insights to take home.

Conference programs are easy to design in the walkable city of Cairns, where everything is connected within 10-minutes! The Cairns Convention Centre, accommodation, dining and event venues are all within a comfortable stroll. With the airport only minutes away from the Cairns CBD, event planners spend less time managing logistics and more time creating delegate experiences. The compact layout also makes it easy to include networking events, technical tours and unique off-site functions without losing valuable programme time.
 

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef's collaborative approach extends to every stage of event delivery. Sustainability initiatives, local partnerships and meaningful First Nations experiences can be seamlessly incorporated throughout a conference, helping organisations align their events with broader environmental, social and governance goals. Rather than being an add-on, sustainability becomes part of the overall delegate experience.

For associations looking to create meetings with lasting value, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef offers more than an inspiring destination. It provides access to world-class research, industry expertise and extraordinary natural environments, creating opportunities for delegates to build meaningful connections, exchange knowledge and turn ideas into action.
 

Want to take a closer look at how Cairns turns its unique environment into an asset for academic exchange? Check out this article to discover how research, industry and the natural environment can come together beyond the conference room.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

In May, ahead of IMEX Frankfurt, association executives, congress organisers and industry leaders gathered in Brussels for the Sydney Leadership Circle: Europe Edition, an invitation-only workshop hosted by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) and the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney). HQ joined discussions on technological change, membership expectations, organisational governance, event risk, long-term impact and financial sustainability. 

Association leaders from medical, scientific, education, cultural, technology and professional bodies across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom joined the workshop. Bringing organisations with different missions and membership models into the same room created an opportunity to examine challenges increasingly shared across the association sector.

 

The programme opened with AI and the Future of Associations: From Experimentation to Strategic Capability, a session led by Avinash Chandarana, Chief Learning Officer at MCI Group. Patrick Delaney, Co-Founder of SoolNua, moderated the exchange with Chandarana and later facilitated the workshop groups on artificial intelligence, member engagement, legacy and impact, and organisational resilience.

AI and the Future of Associations

Chandarana’s keynote focused on a challenge many organisations are currently confronting: moving beyond experimentation and determining where AI can create practical value.

 

“The reality is that most associations are still experimenting with AI rather than embedding it strategically,” said Chandarana. “Many people are using it for content, emails or marketing, but that is only the starting point. The bigger question is how AI can support the organisation’s future direction, improve member value and reduce internal friction.”

 

Investment decisions, governance frameworks and organisational readiness featured prominently in the discussion. Participants also pointed to data quality, technology procurement and the pace of board decision-making as barriers to implementation.

 

Chandarana encouraged associations to avoid viewing AI as an isolated initiative. “Associations should not start with the idea of AI transformation,” he said. “They should start by asking how their organisation needs to transform for the future, and then decide where AI can support that journey. AI should serve the strategy, not become the strategy.”

 

AI could also support learning, personalisation and knowledge sharing. One recurring theme concerned the vast amount of content generated at conferences that often remains underused after delegates return home.

“A great deal of knowledge is shared in sessions, but much of it is lost once people leave the room,” Chandarana noted. “AI can help associations capture, summarise and repurpose that knowledge, extending the value of an event well beyond the day itself.”

 

  

Membership Relevance and Knowledge Value

Changing consumption habits, personalised digital experiences and growing competition for attention are forcing associations to reassess how they create value for members. Access to information alone is no longer a differentiator when digital tools can provide answers in seconds.

 

“Associations cannot compete with large language models on content alone,” said Chandarana. “The differentiator for associations is context, trust, professional relevance and the ability to turn knowledge into meaningful value for members.”

 

Workshop discussions examined how organisations can maintain engagement between annual meetings, create stronger learning pathways and involve members more actively in decision-making. Several participants highlighted the challenge of attracting younger professionals while maintaining value for long-standing members.

 

Membership discussions frequently centred on retention, participation and revenue, including how associations communicate value, demonstrate impact and maintain engagement over time.

 

Amanda Lampe, Chief Executive Officer of BESydney, identified member engagement as one of the most significant organisational challenges associations currently face.

 

“Attracting the next generation while continuing to deliver value for existing members requires calls for open, strategic conversations,” she told HQ.

Legacy, Impact and Destination Partnerships

Associations examined how impact can be measured, what destinations contribute beyond event delivery and how congresses can generate outcomes that continue after delegates return home.

 

For many organisations, legacy encompasses policy change, research collaboration, professional development, community engagement and long-term sector advancement. However, measuring those outcomes remains a challenge for many organisations.

 

Lampe believes destinations have an important role to play in helping associations define and achieve those objectives.

 

“When it comes to events, leaders are also looking closely at destinations,” she said. “They are asking whether a destination is attractive to delegates, whether it aligns with the purpose of the association, and what kind of ecosystem it can create around the event.”

Universities, research institutions, government stakeholders and professional communities were identified as important partners in delivering legacy objectives. Conversations focused on how those connections can support outcomes that extend beyond the event itself.

 

“The question is not only where the event takes place, but what it can achieve,” Lampe said. “That includes the legacy for the association itself and the legacy it can leave in the host city or country.”

 

Drawing on Sydney’s experience, Lampe pointed to the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC Sydney) 2026 as an example of how legacy programmes can be integrated into education, community engagement and research activities when planning begins early enough. The event welcomed more than 7,500 delegates from 99 countries and attracted more than 19,500 registrations for its public Space Day programme.

Organisational Resilience and Event Risk

Rising costs, travel disruption and changing participation patterns continue to affect event performance and organisational finances. For associations that rely heavily on congress revenue, fluctuations in attendance and sponsorship can have significant consequences.

 

Diversifying income streams and strengthening organisational resilience featured prominently in the discussions. Convention bureaux were frequently cited as important partners in managing disruption, alongside venues, hotels and local stakeholders. Early communication and a shared understanding of risk emerged as recurring priorities.

 

For BESydney and ICC Sydney, creating space for those conversations reflects a shared commitment to engaging with the association sector beyond the traditional bid process.

 

“We want Sydney to be recognised as a place where ideas, leadership, research and academia come together naturally,” said Lampe.

 

Discussions continued during the networking session, where participants compared experiences and exchanged practical examples from their own organisations, reinforcing the value many attendees placed on exchanging perspectives with peers facing similar challenges across different sectors and markets.

For more information, visit www.besydney.com.au

  

Following our visit to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, HQ continued south into the geothermal landscapes of Rotorua with a programme guided by Michele Frost, Conference and Events at Tauhara North Tourism Ltd. Located in Aotearoa New Zealand’s central North Island, the region combines volcanic landscapes, lakes, geothermal systems and growing meetings infrastructure with strong Māori cultural and economic leadership.

Water, Geothermal Landscapes and Conference Experiences

  

Business Events and Māori Ownership

Te Puia combines a geothermal and cultural village with the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the national campus for Māori carving, weaving and traditional arts education. Alongside geothermal landscapes including the Pōhutu Geyser, the site brings together Te Arawa cultural traditions, oral storytelling, cuisine, conservation and arts training within a working cultural environment hosting international delegates and business events.

Read HQ’s Auckland coverage to see how the city connects business events with culture, community and destination strategy.

  

The opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in February 2026 marked a major moment for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand’s international meetings sector. During HQ’s participation in the opening celebrations, the Auckland Convention Bureau led a fam trip for international media hosted by Ken Pereira, Head of Business Events, and Kathryn Heard, Marketing Manager. The bureau forms part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the city’s cultural, events and destination agency operating on behalf of Auckland Council.

Read HQ’s NZICC coverage to see how Auckland’s new convention centre is shaping the city’s international meetings offer.

A Connected Convention Environment

  

Creativity, Identity and Delegate Experience

Indigenous Knowledge in a Global Context

The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) 2025 placed Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland at the centre of international conversations surrounding Indigenous education, language revitalisation, climate knowledge and cultural continuity.

  

Sustainability through Daily Practice

Food also formed an important part of the wider sustainability discussion. Menus across the city increasingly highlight regional produce, locally sourced seafood, North Island wines and plant-based options aligned with changing delegate expectations around wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

  

Read HQ’s Rotorua coverage to see how Māori ownership, geothermal landscapes and responsible tourism shape the region’s meetings sector.

 jwc has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra Government (Ministry of Tourism) to support the foundation and administration of the Maharashtra Convention Bureau.

  

Association leaders looking towards Asia are increasingly pursuing the same objectives: membership growth, stronger sponsorship opportunities, and deeper engagement with regional industries. Chinese professional communities are pursuing a parallel ambition, seeking greater visibility beyond their domestic market and stronger links with international peers. Hong Kong’s approach focuses on fostering connections in both directions. During IMEX Frankfurt, Marilyn Tham, the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) General Manager of Mega Events, MICE and Cruise, explained how the destination links international associations with the Chinese Mainland, while also helping Chinese organisations to expand their international reach. 

“We position Hong Kong as a super connector,” said Tham. “On one hand, we invite international conventions to Hong Kong and help them connect with the Chinese Mainland. On the other hand, we help Chinese Mainland congresses expand to the global stage.”

Hong Kong: A Super Connector for the Greater Bay Area!  

 

Sunrise Journeys Uluru © Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) is a destination that reshapes perspectives and transforms the delegate experience. From the tropical energy of Darwin to the spiritual heart of Uluru and the vast desert landscapes of Alice Springs, the NT offers business events a rare combination of human scale, cultural authenticity and emotional impact.

In the heart of the world's oldest living culture, the NT delivers ancestral landscapes, vibrant cultures and lasting memories. At the core of this positioning, Northern Territory Business Events (NTBE) supports planners at every stage of their event. Its strength lies in local expertise, industry partnerships and the backing of the Northern Territory Business Events Support Fund, a competitive financial programme offering from A$100 (approx. €61) per delegate which encourages the year-round selection of the destination.

Combined with direct air links into Darwin International Airport from key Asian hubs and a strong domestic network, the NT offers straightforward, multi-entry access for both international and national delegates. As Rebecca McCaig, NTBE Director, says: “As a competitive destination for both domestic and international business events, NT’s unique nature-based experiences, globally-renowned landscapes and diverse industry strengths are all complemented by the meaningful cultural connections that can be made by delegates Territory-wide."
 

© Tourism and Events NT

Set to open in August 2026, the Larrakia Cultural Centre (pictured above) in Darwin will serve as a meeting point where business events intersect with living culture. The centre will host immersive gatherings, including ceremonies, language sessions and art workshops, alongside flexible event spaces and an outdoor amphitheatre. Complementing this, the newly opened Outstation Gallery at Darwin Waterfront is a light-filled exhibition space showcasing Aboriginal and contemporary works in partnership with Indigenous art centres, suitable for curated cultural programmes and private events.

For nature-led adventures, Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu National Park introduces safari-style retreats that blend comfort with raw wilderness, placing delegates within one of the world’s most significant UNESCO-listed landscapes. Darwin’s hotel offering continues to grow. The upcoming voco Darwin Suites and the recently opened Courtyard by Marriott Darwin add meeting capacity and proximity to key venues such as the AANT Centre and Darwin Convention Centre.
 

Northern Territory Aboriginal Cultural Experience © Tourism and Events NT & Tourism Australia

The NT’s greatest asset lies in its cultural depth, woven into the land, stories and community. Experiences led by Aboriginal-owned operators, such as the Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experience in Katherine, invite groups into authentic encounters. From bush tucker cook-ups to hands-on weaving, these activities are grounded in Country, tradition and lived knowledge. At Uluru, SEIT’s Aboriginal Art Experience offers an introduction to Anangu culture and artisans, where participants translate ancient storytelling into their own creative expression.

Events like Parrtjima – A Festival in Light deepen this connection with the Traditional Owners of the land. Set against the MacDonnell Ranges, the festival transforms the landscape into a canvas of light, sound and language. For incentive groups, the NT offers a series of memorable moments, from dining under desert skies at the Alice Springs Desert Park to immersive light installations with Sunrise Journeys, scenic flights with Gooney Bird Adventures, and the experience of catching a barramundi at Hooked on Barra.
 

Parrtjima 2025 - A Festival in Light, Alice Springs © Provided by Tourism and Events NT

Momentum is building globally, with publications such as The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveller and BBC Travel naming the NT among the world’s must-visit destinations for 2026. This visibility is reflected in a strong pipeline of international business events, including the 2026 International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding, the Council of International Neonatal Nurses Conference 2026 and the 25th Commonwealth Law Conference 2027.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Women Deliver 2026, Melbourne © Little Rocket

This sponsored article is brought to you by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) supported by Business Events Australia. 

The Women Deliver Conference 2026 was a global gathering of leaders and advocates in gender equality and the rights and health of women and girls. Hosted in Melbourne in April, the event showcased the city’s commitment to delivering inspiring, world-class events that create a lasting legacy.

Regional Focus, Global Impact

For the first time, the 2026 Women Deliver Conference was held in Melbourne on behalf of the Oceanic Pacific region. The regional focus of the event showcased the importance of the region in advancing the work of gender equality. The Oceanic Pacific region, encompassing 22 Pacific Island countries and territories alongside Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, has a strong history of First Nations leadership, as well as deep cultural and historical connections.

 

As a multicultural and welcoming city capable of hosting world-class and large-scale events, Melbourne represented an ideal meeting point for these diverse yet interconnected cultures.

 

The conference was attended by government representatives, advocates, First Nations leaders and high-profile business trailblazers. Keynote speakers included former world leaders Justin Trudeau, Former Prime Minister of Canada; Julia Gillard, Former Prime Minister of Australia; Jacinda Ardern, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; and Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

 

The event was opened by The Right Hon. Feleti Penitala Teo OBE, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, alongside the Governor-General of Australia, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Dr Maliha Khan, President and CEO of Women Deliver.

 

Welcoming Delegates: Championing First Nations and Pasifika Enterprises through Culture, Art and Food

The programme extended beyond the convention centre, beginning with a Cultural Night to welcome delegates at the Royal Exhibition Building, with an after-hours tour of the Melbourne Museum and a welcome address from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nicholas Reece. Delivered by the Melbourne Convention Bureau as the host city in partnership with KE Creative and Harry the hirer, the event brought together more than 2,200 attendees in a celebration of First Nations and Pasifika culture, creativity and enterprise.

 

The evening featured performances from First Nations and Pasifika groups across the region. The official live cultural programme opened with the Yuloo Aboriginal Dance Group, whose performance set a strong cultural foundation and offered a meaningful Welcome through movement, storytelling, and connection to Country.

 

This was followed by the Maidens of Polynesia, who delivered an uplifting and interactive performance that invited delegates onto the stage, a moment that became a highlight of the night and embodied the spirit of inclusivity and shared celebration. Closing the main programme, Te Mana delivered a powerful Māori performance that brought energy, pride, and emotional resonance to the finale.

 

Alongside the performances, there were more than 20 market stallholders representing Indigenous-owned businesses. Through art, music and food, delegates were invited to engage with culture in a meaningful and immersive way, highlighting the importance of First Nations and Pasifika voices within the broader programme.

 

The event also demonstrated how conferences can take a more considered approach to curation and procurement- actively supporting and showcasing the communities and businesses they aim to represent.

 

  

Outcomes and Legacy

Women Deliver 2026 has made an immediate impact for women and girls around the world; during the event, new and renewed commitments were announced totalling USD $190 million.

 

The Melbourne Declaration for Gender Equality, a collective statement between Women Deliver and partners from around the world, was formally launched at the conference. Developed through consultations with 650 participants worldwide, the Declaration calls for the protection and fulfilment of human rights, as well as a stronger and better-resourced gender equality ecosystem.

 

  

Inclusive Event Design

A key tenet of Women Deliver is accessibility and sustainability, and this was embodied in every aspect of the conference. Melbourne’s ability to deliver inclusive events, via dedicated infrastructure as well as local knowledge, was a major factor in the success of the event. 

 

The entire global community was made to feel welcome as they arrived in the city, with event planners Arinex, event and exhibition partner Harry the hirer, Cultural Night event producers KE Creative and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ensuring accessibility at every stage. Some of the key initiatives available to delegates to ensure widespread inclusion included multilingual conference materials and information, International Sign Language interpretation in all plenary sessions, onsite mental health support, accessible and gender-inclusive bathrooms, and a dedicated quiet zone.

 

Sustainability was also a key consideration in the event delivery, with delegates encouraged to use Melbourne’s solar-powered tram network to attend the Cultural Night and move around the city, alongside digital-only programming and event communications, and the promotion of zero-waste practices for exhibitors and side event hosts. Harry the hirer also played a key role in supporting sustainability efforts through modular and reusable displays throughout the exhibition, furniture made from recycled, recyclable, or sustainably sourced materials, LED lighting, and efficient packaging.

 

Bringing Women Deliver to Melbourne, Australia

Women Deliver represented a collaborative effort between Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), the Victorian State Government, Tourism Australia, the City of Melbourne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), Arinex, Harry the hirer and KE Creative. This coordinated approach brought together stakeholders across the destination, with MCB facilitating connections between organisers, venues and local partners to support delivery of the event.

 

Melbourne Convention Bureau also supported leadership-focused initiatives held alongside the conference, bringing together women across industries to share knowledge and build connections. These elements contributed to an approach that extended beyond operational delivery, supporting broader outcomes in inclusion, participation and long-term impact.

 

Together, the event demonstrated how destinations can support large-scale association conferences, not only through infrastructure and capacity, but through a considered and inclusive approach to delegate experience. In doing so, Melbourne offers a compelling example of how complex global events can be delivered in a way that is both operationally effective and socially meaningful.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about hosting your next conference in Melbourne, or exploring how the destination can support inclusive, large-scale events, contact the Melbourne Convention Bureau team at info@melbournecb.com.au.

 

At IMEX Frankfurt 2026, Tourism Australia launched a new sustainability initiative to the international business events industry. Green is Our Gold has been developed to unite Australian business events and tourism industries around a shared vision to protect and strengthen Australia’s natural environments, cultures and communities.

Green is Our Gold responds to continued demand for sustainable practices amongst international business events decision makers. Tourism Australia’s Business Events Consumer Demand Project research shows that three out of four incentive decision makers (76%) rank sustainability credentials as a significant driver of destination choice, while 83% of association organisations already have sustainability credentials and practices in place.

A new 90-second video designed to rally the Australian tourism industry behind the initiative was launched alongside a Promise and five Principles.

Australian business events organisations of all sizes are invited to be part of the Promise, committing to a shared industry vision for sustainable tourism. Those who join are asked to embrace the five Principles and communicate them with business events planners and delegates, helping to guide responsible visitor behaviours when in Australia: Celebrate Community, Embrace Culture, Preserve Place, Respect Wildlife and Take Care.

Tourism Australia Managing Director, Robin Mack, said: “Australia’s business events industry has a strong track record of delivering world-class experiences and events that are sensitive to the environment, our cultures and our communities. Green is Our Gold recognises the strong foundations already in place, while encouraging a collective commitment to continuous improvement across the sector.”

“Sustainability thrives on collaboration rather than individual action. Through Green is Our Gold, we’re ensuring that planners know when choosing Australia, they are developing their events with a national network of unified industry partners, giving them the confidence that their event will align with the expectations of their delegates.”

Green is Our Gold builds on the National Sustainability Framework for the Visitor Economy and the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit, which the Australian Government launched in 2023 with State and Territory Tourism Ministers, and which is a key action under the national long-term visitor economy strategy, THRIVE 2030.

For more information about the Green and Gold Promise, the five Green and Gold Principles, visit tourism.australia.com.

Australia’s business events sector is evolving through research, sustainability and long-term legacy planning. Download the full Australia Destination Report to explore the destinations, venues and strategies shaping the country’s international meetings landscape.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled a new national MICE brand strategy designed to reposition Thailand not simply as a destination for business events, but as a global platform for long-term impact, collaboration and industry advancement.

Launched during IMEX Frankfurt 2026, “MaxiMICE Thailand – From Potential to Exponential” introduces a renewed strategic vision for the country’s meetings and events sector — one focused on transforming conferences, exhibitions and incentive programmes into catalysts for measurable economic, social and sustainability outcomes.

At the centre of the new positioning are three strategic pillars — MaxiMICE Your Convenience, MaxiMICE Your Experience and MaxiMICE Your Impact — designed to showcase Thailand’s strengths in connectivity, infrastructure, creativity, sustainability and stakeholder collaboration.

According to Dr. Supawan Teerarat, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (on the cover), the initiative reflects a broader ambition to elevate the role of business events in addressing global priorities while enhancing the quality and value of delegate experiences.

“Today’s business events are no longer measured solely by attendance numbers, but by the quality of connections, outcomes, and long-term impact they create. As the world faces increasingly multidimensional challenges, business events must serve as platforms for collaboration, collective solutions, and actionable progress. Our study identified the key factors shaping successful meeting destinations today. The results highlighted Thailand’s operational reliability, strong business impact, and ability to deliver beyond memorable experiences. This inspired the development of our new brand, built around three strategic pillars.”

The new brand strategy is rooted in TCEB’s wider vision of positioning Thailand as Global Asia’s platform for impactful and sustainable events, with particular emphasis on sectors and agendas gaining urgency across the international business landscape, including energy, finance, wellness and longevity, DEI, sustainability and food security.

A Three-Pillar Strategy for Future Events

The MaxiMICE Your Convenience pillar highlights Thailand’s accessibility, integrated infrastructure, digital readiness and government-backed support systems. TCEB noted that several major international conferences scheduled for 2026 are being hosted or actively supported by Thai ministries, as well as city and provincial authorities, under the bureau’s “Government-Ready” initiative.

Meanwhile, MaxiMICE Your Experience focuses on Thailand’s ability to deliver immersive and culturally distinctive event experiences beyond traditional meeting formats. Leveraging the country’s network of MICE Cities, local communities and creative suppliers, the strategy aims to strengthen experience design through local culture, heritage and community engagement.

Working alongside Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), TCEB says Thailand’s supplier ecosystem offers strong creative and operational capabilities for planners seeking more customised and experiential programmes.

The third pillar, MaxiMICE Your Impact, centres on sustainability, measurable outcomes and international standards. TCEB emphasised that carbon management and decarbonisation practices are now embedded into the country’s MICE development strategy, supported by dedicated tools, certified suppliers and partnerships focused on long-term sustainability performance.

Dr. Supawan added: “TCEB has a forward-looking approach to create impacts at international scale by joining “Net Zero Carbon Initiative” partnership with GDS-Movement and JMIC, which is announced at IMEX Frankfurt 2026. The bureau hopes to combine local experiences in embedding sustainability into Thai MICE industry with global expertise and knowledge with the future goal of achieving Net Positive, a step beyond Net Zero.”

Reinforcing Thailand’s Position in Asia-Pacific

The launch comes amid continued international recognition for Thailand’s business events sector.

According to the latest report from ICCA, Thailand retained its position as the leading meetings destination in ASEAN in 2025 and ranked fifth across the Asia-Pacific region, hosting 171 international conferences. Bangkok was also identified among the world’s top ten cities for medical science meetings.

Additional recognition came through the Cvent 2026 rankings, which placed Bangkok second among Asia-Pacific meeting destinations — a position further reinforced by research from American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT).

On the exhibitions side, Thailand received recognition from UFI as the leading country for effective and comprehensive government support while also ranking first in ASEAN for exhibition space sold.

Reflecting on the broader significance of the launch, Dr. Supawan concluded: “The reports of ICCA and Cvent released earlier today at IMEX 2026, along with other international recognitions, reaffirm a strong foundation of Thailand which we hope will be further strengthened by our new brand, reassuring overseas market of our future ready attributes for more impactful and meaningful success of business events.”
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Brisbane’s involvement in international association meetings is underpinned through its universities, research institutions and a network of advocates contributing directly to bids and programme design. The city is no stranger to international associations, nor to HQ readers. Following AIME 2026, we visited Brisbane at the invitation of the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), which is marking its 30th anniversary through 2026.

 

During our visit, we met destination leaders, venue representatives, and academic and industry figures involved in supporting and delivering events. What emerges is a model that connects research and industry capability with congress delivery, supported by close collaboration between venue and destination partners.

Brisbane Across Land, Water and Air

Having written about Brisbane numerous times for HQ without having visited the city, the first realisation came on arrival at Rydges Hotel South Bank. On paper, Brisbane’s reputation is well established. Universities, research institutions and sector leadership position the city in global conversations in fields such as biotechnology, resources and clean energy. What is less visible until arrival is how closely these places are located.

 

Rydges, directly connected to the BCEC, sits within a district that brings together Griffith University’s South Bank campus, the Queensland Conservatorium, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and major cultural institutions, including the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), the Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the recently opened Glasshouse Theatre. A short walk reveals the concentration and range of off-site options within minutes of the convention centre.

 

Our programme opened with a walk through South Bank, led by representatives from BEDA and the BCEC, introducing how both organisations operate. Movement between the convention centre, surrounding institutions and riverfront required no coordination, allowing programme elements to combine.

 

South Bank, the riverside precinct hosting the BCEC, provides the clearest operational reference point, where accommodation, convention space and cultural institutions are seamlessly connected.

 

 

BEDA’s General Manager Events Lorelle Chittick said Brisbane’s defining advantage was the ease with which delegates can move across the city.

 

“Within minutes, delegates can experience the full breadth of Brisbane, from riverfront precincts like South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves and Fish Lane to our cultural institutions and natural surroundings,” Ms Chittick said.

 

“That level of proximity enhances the delegate experience while creating more opportunities for meaningful connection, blending business with lifestyle in a way that is uniquely Brisbane.”

 

Travel across the river clarifies how this structure extends across the city. Brisbane’s CityCat ferry service connects South Bank with the CBD and surrounding precincts, expanding usable venues. One hundred metres above the river, the Sky Deck at The Star Brisbane makes this relationship clearer.

 

The Star forms part of the Queen’s Wharf development, a A$3.6 billion (€2.2 billion approx.) precinct introducing accommodation, hospitality and event capacity, including large-scale venues and riverfront and rooftop settings, within walking distance of South Bank and the BCEC via a direct pedestrian bridge.

 

At Howard Smith Wharves, beneath the Story Bridge, dinner at Stanley’s positioned the precinct within Brisbane’s offsite offering, from large-format venues such as Felons Brewing Co., which can accommodate up to 800 guests, to smaller riverfront settings. Together with South Bank and Queen’s Wharf, these spaces form a continuous vibrant riverfront corridor.

 

Brisbane’s surrounding environments introduce a wider range of programme formats. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s oldest and largest of its kind, combines visitor access with research and conservation, hosting the Brisbane Koala Science Institute and collaborating with universities on genetics and disease management. Sirromet Winery presents Queensland’s wine production while providing event space for group programmes.

 

From the air, Moreton Bay and its islands form the same accessible landscape. North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, home to Tangalooma Island Resort and suited to delegate day programmes, are the second and third largest sand islands in the world.

Brisbane Connects Research, Industry and Events Delivery

Our time in Brisbane showed how BEDA and the BCEC jointly attract and deliver international congresses. A site inspection of the convention centre was followed by a strategic session and working lunch at the Plaza Gallery, bringing together senior representatives from both organisations, including a member of BCEC’s Convention Advocates Partnership.

 

This setting reflects the level at which the venue operates. The BCEC hosted the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit, bringing heads of state, including Barack Obama and David Cameron, for high-security meetings, bilateral discussions and global media engagement, establishing a precedent for complex international meetings beyond standard congress requirements.

 

At that lunch, Professor Trent Munro, Immediate Past Chair of Life Sciences Queensland and a leading voice in Queensland’s bio-innovation sector, contributed to discussions on life sciences capability and the BCEC’s recently launched Bio-Innovation Bursary, a partnership initiative supporting mid-career researchers to strengthen industry engagement and research impact. His involvement reflects the advisory role of sector leaders within BCEC’s Convention Advocate Partnership.

 

Discussions continued over dinner with Dr Neville Plint, Chief Executive Officer of Mining3 and Adjunct Professor at the Sustainable Minerals Institute at UQ, drawing on his experience as part of the Advocate Partnership and perspective across industry and research.

 

“Brisbane’s advantage is how closely research, industry and events are connected. The expertise is already here, and through the Advocates Partnership it’s brought into play early, shaping both how conferences are secured and how they’re experienced,” Plint said.

 

Conference content, research capability and industry participation align geographically. Brisbane’s inner-city Knowledge Corridor spans a five-kilometre arc minutes from the BCEC, concentrating universities, hospitals and research institutes. The corridor anchors a A$22 billion (€13.2 billion approx.) health and life sciences economy, supported by R&D investment and transport infrastructure reducing travel between institutions.

 

BCEC and the Convention Bureau within BEDA provide conference bidding support, working collaboratively to attract national and international events across Brisbane’s venues. BCEC leads national and international conference bids for large-scale conferences and clients who only wish to use the Centre, while BEDA leads national and international conference bids where multiple conference venue types are being considered, including hotels, universities, or multi-venue solutions.

 

New airline route development is led by Brisbane Airport Corporation, with BEDA supporting in-market representation in North America, South East Asia and India in partnership with Experience Gold Coast, targeting outbound demand and positioning South East Queensland within one of the fastest-growing international markets for tourism and business events.

 

This positioning is reinforced by the city’s event pipeline. Over 100 events across 2026 contribute to a A$13.7 billion (€8.2 billion approx.) visitor economy and year-round activity.

 

The Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 provide a longer-term horizon. Through the Elevate 2042 Legacy Strategy and Destination 2045 plan, Brisbane and Queensland align sport, health, inclusion and economic development within a 20-year framework linking major events with broader societal outcomes.

Brisbane’s approach to business events reflects a broader Australian strategy that connects research, infrastructure, sustainability and destination development across multiple sectors. To explore more, read HQ’s latest Australia Destination Report, our feature on Brisbane’s expanding infrastructure and event pipeline, and our icoverage of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre as it marks 30 years of operations supporting international meetings and congresses.

  

Melbourne’s reputation as a global events city is evident in its ability to host major events such as the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, handling large-scale and complex operations. This expertise translates into the meetings sector, where Melbourne consistently ranks as a top destination for international association congresses, with strong alignment across sectors such as health, science, energy, and social policy. 60 years after the foundation of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), that wealth of experience continues to guide the organisation’s work. With a confirmed pipeline of over 100 congresses through to 2030, the Bureau is placing an increasing focus on how meetings are designed, how participation is encouraged, and how the outcomes of these events inform policy, research, and funding processes.

International buyers and organisers convene in Melbourne each year at AIME, the leading business events trade show in Asia-Pacific, owned by MCB and used by the city to curate demand, introduce new programme formats and influence future congress pipelines.

“Our role is to connect an association’s purpose with the local ecosystem,” says Julia Swanson, Chief Executive Officer. Association objectives are matched with state priorities, university research and industry capability, then translated into programme design and stakeholder participation. That process determines who contributes to the programme and how outcomes are expected to circulate once the event concludes.

Uncover Melbourne, the hosted media programme organised alongside AIME, brings that approach into view. Time spent with Swanson ahead of AIME 2026 provided a clear view of it in practice, as she remained present across site visits, responding to questions and engaging directly with participants.

This leadership style, based on proximity and continuity, extends beyond individual interactions, carrying into long-term collaboration with organisers and shaping how larger congresses are structured, as seen in the Women Deliver conference in April 2026, which brought together Melbourne’s model of governance, funding and policy alignment.

Programme priorities were defined by an Oceanic Pacific Regional Steering Committee and a First Nations Governance Group. Held in the Pacific region for the first time, the conference positioned regional actors in shaping both agenda and outcomes, which informed the Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders Meeting and linked discussions in Melbourne with regional policy processes.

“Women Deliver is a strong example. The event includes a focus on First Nations communities and engagement with Pacific partners, supported by collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” says Swanson. “The programme brings together global leaders and grassroots organisations, creating space for both high-level dialogue and community participation. Speaker participation reflected that structure, bringing together former heads of government, United Nations leadership, and First Nations and Pacific representatives, placing political authority, multilateral institutions and community leadership within the same decision-making space.

“That approach ensures that the event contributes to ongoing discussions around gender equality, health and social issues, rather than being limited to its duration,” Swanson adds.

A global Declaration for the international development sector consolidates consultations into a framework for governments, funders and advocacy organisations, while Australians Investing in Women is coordinating philanthropic institutions to align long-term funding commitments across the region.

Different sectors require different event formats, depending on whether the objective is policy alignment, industry development or economic participation. In some cases, this means creating new platforms rather than bidding for existing congresses.

Victoria identified data infrastructure and artificial intelligence as priority sectors without an international event to match.

“In this case, there was no existing event that matched Victoria’s priorities,” Swanson explains. “Instead of bidding for an established congress, we worked with government and industry stakeholders to develop a new platform.”

Data Centre World Australia, scheduled for September 2026, will bring together investors, data centre operators, technology companies and policymakers, establishing a recurring meeting point for a sector linked to state economic priorities.

To complement the development of new sector platforms, the state is expanding the range of organisations involved in event delivery. The First Peoples Tourism Growth Program, which runs from 2025 to 2030, provides funding for First Nations-owned businesses to develop cultural venues, guided experiences, and knowledge-based products. This increases the number of local providers that can be included in congress programmes, linking event activity with First Nations economic participation.

Swanson places these approaches within a longer development cycle. “Much of the work happens over several years. It involves identifying sector opportunities, aligning with government priorities and building relationships across industry and academia.”

This observation that ‘much of the work happens over several years’ was reinforced during the 30-year milestone of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) at AIME, where MCEC Chair John Brumby AO and Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos MP pointed to future congresses already secured as evidence of that long-term approach.

The 2029 World Conference on Lung Cancer is an example of this. Secured by the MCB in partnership with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Cancer Council Victoria, and supported by the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia, the congress is expected to attract over 6,500 delegates from more than 100 countries.

Holding the conference in Melbourne aligns with the city’s concentration of cancer research, clinical treatment and policy leadership, led by institutions such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, where research, care and education are integrated into international networks.

MCEC connects international congresses with Melbourne’s research, clinical and policy institutions, as a central node within this network, while its activity has shaped South Wharf into a concentrated business events precinct where venues, accommodation and transport operate in close proximity.

MCB is also expanding Victoria’s regional offering within event programmes by introducing organisers to settings beyond the city. The Uncover Melbourne itinerary extended from the convention precinct to the Mornington Peninsula, combining small-group meeting formats with local production and cultural activity, from vineyards and tastings to wellness programmes and creative workshops.

These formats allow organisers to separate leadership discussions, board meetings and informal exchanges from plenary environments, while integrating local industries and communities into the programme.

The opening of Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in July 2026 formalises that expansion. Located within one hour of Melbourne, the venue connects events to Geelong’s university, research and industry base, allowing organisers to distribute programme components across multiple locations while maintaining alignment with sector priorities.

Discover how Melbourne fits within Australia’s wider business events ecosystem by exploring the full Australia Destination Report, featuring insights from convention bureaux, venues and international congresses across the country.

International associations select host destinations based on measurable economic and strategic impact. In Australia, business events are positioned as part of a wider system that connects international congresses with research capability, priority industries and national policy agendas.

 

This positioning is now a key part of the structure of Tourism Australia (TA). In January 2026, Robin Mack was appointed Managing Director, bringing long-standing business events leadership into the organisation’s top role. At AIME 2026, TA confirmed that Business Events Australia (BEA) now sits within its Industry division, led by Executive General Manager Industry and Business Events Sally Cope. Her remit spans industry relations, trade engagement and experience development, aligning the business events portfolio with national strategy.

Mack told HQ that events such as the IAC bring knowledge exchange, policy influence and sector development to the host destination. This model is underpinned by what Mack described as a ‘Team Australia’ approach. “Our approach is structured around three pillars,” he explained. “First, creating demand, particularly within the association sector. Second, converting that demand, where the Business Events Bid Fund Program (BFP) is a central tool. Third, supporting the industry through data, insights and partnerships.”

Event Delivery, Cultural Integration and Sustainability

Discover how Australia’s national strategy translates into real opportunities for international meetings in HQ’s 2026 Australia Destination Report, featuring detailed insights on campaigns, destinations and venues available to download now.

© All images provided by Tourism Australia.

Brisbane is entering a phase of sustained development, where infrastructure investment and sector growth are advancing alongside its business events strategy. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032 act as a catalyst within a longer-term programme of investment, supported by the Elevate 2042 Legacy Strategy and the Destination 2045 plan, which links current delivery to long-term economic and sector outcomes.

Transport Investment and Network Capacity

Event Infrastructure and Precinct Development

Research Capacity and Sector Investment

  

Business Events Within an Economic Framework

A Planning Horizon Beyond 2032

  

International Convention Centre (ICC Sydney) and Darling Harbour Precinct © ICC Sydney

Across the global association sector, expectations of what a congress should deliver are evolving quickly. While traditional measures such as attendance, sponsorship revenue and hotel nights remain important, they now sit alongside a growing focus on the long-term value a congress creates.

Today, Boards and planners are increasingly expected to balance both, delivering strong commercial outcomes while also generating lasting impact for their communities and host destinations. In response, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has developed a comprehensive roadmap outlining the key levers associations can use to maximise both the immediate success and the long-term legacy of their congresses.

Associations are under growing pressure to demonstrate public benefit. Research collaboration, policy influence, sector development and societal impact are now central measures of success. This shift reflects the wider adoption of ESG thinking and the expectation that international organisations contribute meaningfully to global progress. In this context, major congresses are no longer simply knowledge-sharing forums; they are platforms capable of accelerating change. Recent events hosted in Sydney illustrate this shift clearly.

At the 5^th World Conference of Women’s Shelters, delegates reported significant professional and policy impact, strengthening global solidarity among women’s shelter practitioners. The vast majority (93%) left the event with new insights relevant to their field, while 90% said the congress had inspired them to rethink how their organisations operate and how far they reach. Crucially, the gathering also created space for dialogue between practitioners, advocates and policymakers around coordinated responses to gender-based violence. Through the Oceania Caucus, participants from across the Pacific explored ways to reinforce services in disaster-prone regions and expand regional cooperation.

Similarly, the 76^th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) demonstrated how a scientific gathering can catalyse innovation and collaboration across an entire industry for people and science. 94% of delegates highlighted the role of the event in advancing scientific knowledge, stimulating new technologies and creating opportunities for trade and investment. Many (91%) also noted the congress’s contribution to attracting global talent to Sydney and sparking discussions around space governance and its wider social implications. Most interestingly, 57% of international delegates expressed interest in living or working in Sydney, strengthening the city's talent pool and future research capacity.

In 2030, the city will welcome the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, bringing around 5,500 clinicians and researchers to the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) to explore advances in eye health and vision science. Beyond its economic contribution, the event will provide a vital platform for collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.
 

World Congress of Women’s Shelters 2025 © ICC Sydney
 

Designing Events for Long-term Impact

Working closely with international associations from the earliest stages of the bidding process, BESydney focuses on ensuring that each event is aligned with association goals, creating an environment where meaningful progress can occur.

BESydney facilitates partnerships across Sydney’s extensive networks, linking organisers with government agencies, universities, research institutes, industry partners and community organisations. These relationships often lead to the integration of legacy-focused initiatives within the congress programme. Policy roundtables, research collaborations, educational outreach and sector capability-building activities can be embedded alongside the traditional conference agenda.

To ensure these outcomes are captured, BESydney works with the University of Technology Sydney to conduct delegate impact measurement studies, which assess outcomes such as knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, innovation and talent attraction. Through this structured approach, congresses hosted in Sydney are designed not just as events, but as catalysts for seamless integration between the city and the association.
 

From Strategy to Results: the Impact Pathway

To move from intent to evidence, BESydney offers a structured pathway, starting at bid stage, so associations can set congress goals early and demonstrate clear sector relevance from the outset.

During the pre-event phase, partnerships are activated. BESydney introduces organisers to local experts, institutions and community groups that can contribute to the programme. These collaborations often lead to site visits, specialised workshops and policy dialogues designed to deepen engagement. Once the congress is underway, the focus shifts to delivering impact. Delegates are encouraged to engage with local innovators, researchers and practitioners.

After the event concludes, measurement and insight become critical. Delegate surveys and data analysis help quantify the event’s academic, social and economic outcomes, providing associations with evidence of the value their congress has generated. The final stage focuses on sustaining legacy. Connections formed during the event frequently evolve into longer-term research collaborations, policy discussions and sector partnerships, ensuring the congress continues to influence long after delegates return home.
 

The International Astronautical Congress 2025 in Sydney © BESydney
 

Sydney’s Innovation Ecosystems in Action

For associations focused on global progress, the value of place is not symbolic but rather practical. Sydney’s innovation precincts offer delegates transferable models for accelerating outcomes in health, technology and sustainable cities well beyond Australia.

Beyond its conference facilities, Sydney offers associations access to a network of innovation districts that function as real-world learning laboratories. The Westmead Health and Innovation District is one of the largest health and research precincts in the Southern Hemisphere. Bringing together hospitals, universities and research institutes, it offers medical and health congresses opportunities to engage directly with clinicians and scientists tackling complex healthcare challenges.

In the city’s technology corridor, Tech Central connects startups, global technology companies and leading universities in a rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. For science and technology congresses, the precinct provides a natural setting to explore emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced data systems.

Further west, Bradfield City Centre, Australia’s newest city in over a century, will be a hub for advanced manufacturing and sustainable urban development. The city will be the centre for future innovations, offering delegates into next-generation infrastructure and industry. For international associations, these precinct connections turn a congress into a launchpad for cross-border collaboration, helping ideas, pilots and partnerships scale from local demonstration to global application.
 

IAC 2025 First Nations Welcome to Country Ceremony © BESydney
 

The Eora Nation: First Nations Perspectives

Another distinctive element – particularly relevant to global progress agendas – is the integration of First Nations heritage and community-led sessions.

Through its First Nations Engagement Guide, BESydney supports associations in developing respectful and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These collaborations allow congress programmes to include Indigenous voices, knowledge and cultural experiences in ways that enrich the delegate journey.

Events may feature Welcome to Country ceremonies, First Nations keynote speakers, storytelling sessions or workshops led by Indigenous cultural custodians from the Gadigal and Cammeraygal peoples. Partnerships with Aboriginal-owned businesses and suppliers also ensure that international events contribute to local economic participation. For delegates, these encounters provide valuable cultural context while opening discussions around sustainability, stewardship of land and the importance of knowledge-based systems.
 

Ready to turn your next congress into measurable, long-term impact? Discover how Business Events Sydney can help you plan, partner and measure outcomes that extend well beyond the closing session – visit our website to explore our impact resources. Or Meet the team at IMEX Frankfurt. Connect here

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Strategically located at the crossroads of global trade routes, Singapore has built a reputation as a leading global business hub and a gateway to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific, making it an ideal launchpad for associations seeking to expand their footprint in the region © Singapore Tourism Board

In a world unsettled by geopolitical tensions, regulatory divergence and economic recalibration, associations are confronting a new strategic reality. Geographic diversification and internationalisation are increasingly seen as strategic levers for resilience, relevance, and long-term sustainable growth, shaped by a wide range of business objectives. Against this backdrop, Singapore has positioned itself as a strategic gateway and launchpad for associations seeking to expand their footprint in the Asia-Pacific.

From Risk Exposure to Strategic Diversification

The growing complexity of international engagement, from trade disputes and travel constraints to fragmented compliance frameworks, has made global convening more demanding. As associations navigate a complex global landscape, they are increasingly focusing on risk and resilience while seeking new avenues for membership growth. Internationalisation can be a path to both. “Destinations that genuinely support internationalisation offer much more than just venues. They provide partnerships, policy stability, and integration into local innovation and industry ecosystems. This means having regulatory transparency and legal stability, easy access to visas, robust local partnership infrastructure, clear financial and compliance frameworks, alignment with association values such as sustainability and inclusion, and a knowledge ecosystem relevant to the association’s field," says Amy Hissrich, Vice-President, International Affairs Global Operations, of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

“ASAE’s 2025 Insight Update on Meetings found that U.S.-based events face challenges in attracting international attendance. This reality underscores the importance of geographic diversification as a deliberate risk management strategy. Establishing a presence in Asia-Pacific allows associations to mitigate policy, travel, and geopolitical risks, while positioning themselves closer to growing member bases and industry ecosystems,” she continues. As global associations increasingly look towards Asia-Pacific as a key engine for future opportunities, Singapore stands out as a pivotal gateway to the region’s expanding economic and innovation landscape. “More than half of internationally active associations plan further growth, with conferences among the largest growth areas. Therefore, Asia-Pacific remains strategically important due to its economic scale, demographic trajectory, and concentration of innovation ecosystems,” Hissrich adds.  
 

As global associations increasingly look towards Asia-Pacific as a key engine for future opportunities, Singapore stands out as a pivotal gateway to the region’s expanding economic and innovation landscape © Singapore Tourism Board

The Gateway Effect

Singapore offers a unique proposition, combining political stability, strong governance and a business-friendly environment, reflected in the Institute for Management Development’s 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking, where it is ranked as the world’s second most competitive economy. Strategically located at the crossroads of global trade routes, Singapore has built a reputation as a leading global business hub and a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic economies. From this stable, well-governed, and internationally aligned base, associations can effectively access and engage key markets such as China, India, and Indonesia, while benefiting from a highly-developed ecosystem that supports global operations and knowledge exchange.

“Singapore offers predictable governance, air connectivity, multilingual business capacity, and an established meeting infrastructure. Importantly, the country enables associations to act as contributors to knowledge exchange, workforce development, and industry advancement, not merely as event organisers,” says Hissrich. Business expansion analyses consistently cite Singapore as the optimal launchpad for organisations seeking regional growth. A competitive and transparent tax regime, an extensive network of free trade agreements and air connectivity to over 170 international destinations underpin this positioning. Instead of navigating a patchwork of legal systems from afar, many organisations tap on Singapore as a base for their regional strategy before expanding outwards in calibrated stages. 

At the American Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting 2025, ASAE, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) signed a partnership to advance leadership development, association education, knowledge sharing, and global engagement opportunities for association professionals, leveraging Singapore as a strategic gateway to Asia © Singapore Tourism Board

Institutional Alignment by Design

Over the past decade, Singapore has consolidated its reputation as a trusted Global Association Hub. Hundreds of international associations and professional societies have established regional or global headquarters there, embedding themselves within a dense ecosystem of regulators, universities, research institutes and multinational corporations. This alignment between government, enterprises and the association sector creates a coherent value proposition. Associations choosing Singapore do not operate in isolation – they gain access to a coordinated ecosystem, as well as collaborative platforms that enable them to showcase innovation, foster cross-sector partnerships, integration, and drive wide-reaching industry impact. One such example is ROSCon 2025, which brought together a global community of developers, researchers, and industry leaders in Singapore for a week of technical exchange, live demonstrations, and collaborative discussions shaping the future of open-source robotics and global interoperability standards. During the event, the Open Source Robotics Foundation and A*STAR’s Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre announced a strategic collaboration to develop shared guidelines and testing approaches for as Open-RMF (Robotics Middleware Framework), use Singapore’s national sandbox at BCA Braddell Campus to trial and validate robotic systems, and encourage broader community participation to help shape practical, widely adopted standards.  

Associations in Singapore can tap into greater corporate engagement and strategic partnerships capable of expanding initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region. A notable example is the agreement signed between ASAE, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF). As the apex business chamber representing more than 32,000 companies, SBF anchors the country’s commercial ecosystem. The 2025 Memorandum of Understanding aims to deepen collaboration between global associations and Singapore’s business community, foster leadership development, facilitate knowledge exchange and support organisations establishing a presence in Asia. “This collaboration between the STB, SBF, and ASAE, reflects a structured approach to global engagement, through initiatives such as the internationalisation toolkit, seminars, and study missions. The partnership ensures that associations considering Singapore have a strong system of support committed to advancing member value and sector leadership,” Hissrich concludes. Building on this collaboration, ASAE, with the support of STB, has also developed The Associations’ Guide to Going Global, a practical resource designed to support associations at the early stages of their internationalisation journey and to provide guidance on expanding into new markets such as Asia-Pacific.

The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) held its annual conference outside of North America for the first time this year. Hosted in Singapore, the event drew approximately 10,000 participants with substantial participation from Asia-Pacific © AAAI

When the Convening of the Global AI Community Crossed Continents

Perhaps the most visible testament to Singapore’s positioning came in January this year, when the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) held its annual conference there for the first time outside North America. The seven-day event, hosted at the Singapore Expo, drew approximately 10,000 participants – including around 5,000 from China, 1,000 from the United States and a substantial delegation from South Korea. “AAAI selected Singapore after lengthy discussions with the Executive Council about the value of taking the conference outside North America. While it was wonderful to be in a location with so much AI activity, the main consideration was whether attendees would be able to travel easily to Singapore,” said Meredith Ellison, AAAI Executive Director. She noted that, given the large number of authors and attendees from outside North America, it was essential that visas and travel requirements did not become barriers, and that Singapore ultimately enabled broader participation and lower travel costs.

The significance extended beyond numbers. Singapore functioned as neutral ground, enabling East and West to convene at scale within a trusted framework. “The ease of access and getting around made it possible for attendees to enjoy much of Singapore. I think that any association that is global in the make-up of their membership and conference participation should be hosting events in Singapore. It was a great location that drove participation from Asia-Pacific, which is a growing area for many,” she added. The programme extended beyond academic sessions to curated social experiences, including a full buy-out of the River Wonders wildlife park for the opening reception, illustrating how large-scale infrastructure and experiential design can coexist seamlessly. More importantly, the event underscored a broader shift. As intellectual capital becomes increasingly distributed across Asia, associations must follow the geography of innovation. By hosting AAAI, Singapore demonstrated its capacity not merely to accommodate global events, but to facilitate the evolution of global communities.  
 

The 40th AAAI Conference’s opening reception was held at Singapore’s River Wonders wildlife park and included animal encounters © AAAI

Discover how Singapore can partner you to host events that make an impact: www.visitsingapore.com/MICE

See how associations and meeting planners are delivering successful events in Singapore.

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Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD), home to leading global Financial and Professional Services firms, reflects Singapore's status as a key hub for capital, innovation and high-level decision-making in Asia-Pacific © Singapore Tourism Board

Singapore’s strong global connectivity, robust business environment, and world-class innovation ecosystem make it a highly trusted and leading convening ground for Professional and Financial Services events. Flagship gatherings like CREDAI NATCON 2025, the LESI Annual Conference 2025, and Sibos 2027 showcase how the city merges strategic dialogue with real-world innovation, turning meetings into valuable platforms for actionable insights and industry advancement.

Between the West and the East, Singapore operates not merely as a bridge but as a convergence point where regulatory clarity, innovation capacity and institutional trust align to support high-value decision-making. This positioning underpins its credibility as a global hub for Professional Services and, by extension, for association meetings seeking substance over scale. According to the Singapore Economic Development Board, the Professional Services sector contributed 5.6% to Singapore’s GDP in 2025, supported by a talent pool exceeding 230,000 professionals across finance, legal, consulting, engineering and design disciplines. “Singapore’s unmatched connectivity, trusted regulatory frameworks, and reputation for neutrality make it a premier hub for conferences in the financial, legal and consultancy sectors. Its world‑class infrastructure and highly trained professionals further strengthen the city’s capacity to support complex, large‑scale events with consistency and precision,” says Nancy Tan, Managing Director of Ace:Daytons Direct, a local Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) specialised in association and corporate events.  
 

Singapore – a leading business hub where capital. talent and innovation converge © Singapore Tourism Board

Where Global Connectivity Meets Capital, Talent and Innovation

This concentration of expertise is reinforced by Singapore’s status as the most popular regional headquarters destination in Asia, attracting multinational firms that require proximity to both markets and decision-makers. Coupled with a workforce ranked first globally in the 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Index and a second-place ranking in global competitiveness by the Institute for Management Development, the city-state offers a uniquely stable and efficient environment for knowledge exchange and experienced manpower. In this context, meetings benefit from immediate access to regulators, industry leaders and technical experts, transforming discussions into actionable outcomes. The presence of major headquarters – including firms such as Deloitte and Kajima – further strengthens this ecosystem, ensuring that association gatherings are embedded within active value chains, while the concentration of capital also reinforces Singapore’s role not just as an operational base, but as a hub where global decision-makers converge.

This density of capability is amplified by Singapore’s role as a trusted gateway to Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing markets. Singapore is a premier global asset management hub, with over 80% of the world’s largest asset managers present in the city-state and assets under management reaching S$6.07 trillion (€4.1 trillion) in 2024 – of which 77% is sourced from outside Singapore and 88% invested globally – underscoring its strong cross-border financial integration and investor confidence. Such scale reflects not only financial depth but also legal and regulatory credibility, critical for sectors like private equity and sustainable finance where international alignment is essential. Strategically located within a seven-hour radius of key markets including India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia, Singapore enables Professional Services firms – and the events they hold – to engage regional opportunities with minimal friction.

As such, Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, ranked fifth in the 2025 Global Innovation Index, ensures that meetings are anchored in forward-looking practice. The expansion of AI innovation hubs by companies such as Accenture, PwC and AECOM, alongside analytics platforms like Aon’s Global Analytics Hub, illustrates how emerging solutions are developed and tested locally before scaling regionally. For international associations, this translates into events where insights are not only shared but demonstrated, and where strategies can be validated within a live, highly connected business environment. Global companies find Asian partners in a stable regulatory environment; public entities dialogue with private entities under predictable rules; international associations manage to produce applicable consensus in multiple markets.  
 

The opening session of Sibos 2015 in Singapore brought together global leaders from banking, finance and technology, setting the stage for the future of Financial Services © Sibos at Swift

Innovation in Action: A Living Lab for Delegates

Singapore’s position as a global platform for high-level events is underpinned by its unrivalled connectivity and institutional density, enabling meetings that are both globally representative and outcome-driven. As a leading financial centre at the crossroads of international markets, the city-state facilitates access to decision-makers across banking, policy, technology and regulation – creating the conditions for meaningful exchange. This is exemplified by Sibos, the flagship conference of the global financial community organised by SWIFT, a global organisation providing a secure communication network used by banks, financial institutions and corporations to exchange financial information and payments, which will return to Singapore for the third time in 2027 at the Marina Bay Sands. “As a globally connected financial centre at the forefront of innovation in Asia, Singapore provides a credible business environment for Sibos’ role as a neutral convenor of the international financial community,” says Alan Rowan, Head of Sibos at Swift. “Hosting the conference here deepens engagement across Asia-Pacific and established markets alike, bringing together international banks, market infrastructures, technology providers, fintechs, policymakers and regulators in meaningful cross-border dialogue. This breadth of participation reinforces Sibos’ agenda around connectivity and interoperability while ensuring the conference remains globally representative and commercially relevant.” Building on positive feedback from previous editions, including 2015, Singapore has demonstrated it can deliver at scale with consistency, while aligning closely with Sibos’ sustainability and legacy objectives.

Beyond convening power, Singapore functions as a living laboratory where delegates can experience innovation, policy frameworks and industry best practices in action. This elevates the value of association meetings by embedding them within an active ecosystem of expertise and experimentation. The decision by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) to host its flagship NATCON 2025 in Singapore illustrates this dynamic. Bringing together over 1,200 industry leaders, the event was designed not only as a forum for discussion but as a platform for learning from Singapore’s transformation into a global urban and economic hub. Its focus on supporting India’s 2047 US$30 trillion economic vision through real estate underscores the strategic intent behind the location choice. Singapore’s integrated planning, regulatory clarity and technological adoption provide delegates with tangible case studies that can be translated into their home markets, a value reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CREDAI and BCA International to advance collaboration in green building practices, construction methods, workmanship and innovation through bilateral training and site visits. In this way, meetings extend beyond the conference room into the city itself, where infrastructure, governance and innovation intersect. For organisers, this creates programmes enriched by site visits, expert engagement and real-world insight, turning abstract strategies into applicable frameworks.  
 

Delegates attending the 2025 LESI Annual Conference in Singapore © LiveStudios Photography Pte Ltd

This connection between thought leadership and real-world application was further reinforced by the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) Annual Conference 2025. The event positioned Singapore as a choice destination for dialogue on Intellectual Property (IP) and innovation, while also showcasing Singapore’s diverse, world-class venues through a memorable gala dinner at the iconic Gardens by the Bay's Flower Dome. On top of the city’s excellent connectivity and MICE facilities, Singapore was chosen as a host for its globally recognised IP regime and sophisticated legal framework, offering delegates direct access to a thriving community of licensing professionals. The conference theme, centred on smart cities and IP strategies, aligned closely with Singapore’s own development model, allowing participants to engage with concepts in a highly contextualised environment. Industry visits to the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore and Changi Airport further demonstrated how intellectual property underpins real-world innovation, from automated technologies to patent-protected systems. The event saw a MoU signed between LESI, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), and IPOS International to strengthen global collaboration around IP commercialisation. The conference further acted as a catalyst for the potential establishment of a new LES chapter in Indonesia, expanding the organisation’s regional footprint. Such outcomes highlight Singapore’s ability not only to host global conversations, but to empower tangible progress – positioning business events as instruments of industry development.  
 

Singapore’s Vibrant Calendar of Marquee Industry Events

Looking ahead, Singapore’s momentum in Professional and Financial Services is reinforced by a strong pipeline of global gatherings that continue to attract industry leaders and decision-makers. Events such as the Institute of Internal Auditors Annual Conference 2026 and SuperReturn Asia 2026 will bring together experts in governance, risk and private capital, while the globally recognised Singapore FinTech Festival 2026 – one of the world’s largest platforms on digital financial architecture – will once again convene central banks, regulators and technology leaders to shape the future of finance. Alongside these, TechLaw.Fest 2025 and the INSOL Asia Hub Conference further demonstrate the breadth of Singapore’s expertise, spanning legal innovation, corporate restructuring and cross-border governance. Singapore is the preferred convenor for conversations that require institutional trust, regulatory clarity and global alignment. In this context, the destination is not merely a backdrop but an active enabler where ecosystems, expertise and infrastructure converge to support outcomes that extend well beyond the meeting itself.
 

Discover how Singapore can partner you to host events that make an impact: www.visitsingapore.com/MICE

See how associations and meeting planners are delivering successful events in Singapore.

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Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Home to an established biomedical and healthcare ecosystem, supported by a vibrant innovation landscape, Singapore is a preferred meetings destination that fosters scientific exchange, meaningful discussions and collaboration.

Singapore has built one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most comprehensive biomedical and healthcare ecosystems, spanning research, clinical delivery, manufacturing and regulation. The system reflects sustained national policy and investment in biomedical science and healthcare innovation. Speaking at the 29^th International Medical Device Regulators Forum in March 2026, Singapore’s Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Mr Ong Ye Kung, noted that national research and development spending reaches around 2% of GDP. This is supported by programmes such as the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE2030) plan, which allocates S$37 billion (approximately €25 billion) over five years to strengthen areas including human health and biomedical innovation.

For international biomedical associations, Singapore offers direct access to the institutions forming its biomedical innovation pipeline: universities, academic medical centres, hospitals and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Thanks to its experienced organisers, world-class venues and infrastructure suited to specialised medical congresses, this sector has established the city as a trusted host of international biomedical meetings, placing it at the heart of the scientific and clinical networks that associations seek to engage with.

A Biomedical Ecosystem Designed For Scale And Continuity

Singapore’s role as a biomedical hub reflects long-term coordination across healthcare delivery, academic research, industrial development and regulation. National healthcare clusters such as SingHealth, the National Healthcare Group and the National University Health System work alongside specialist institutions, including the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the National Heart Centre Singapore. These institutions are backed by universities and research institutes, which sustain a continuous pipeline linking scientific discovery, clinical practice, and industry collaboration.

The concentration of expertise fosters an active clinical research environment, with around 100 industry-sponsored clinical trials launched in Singapore each year. For congress organisers, they have invaluable access to a wide range of medical specialists and researchers. Experts can contribute as speakers, collaborators and hosts of site visits, enabling programmes that connect scientific research, clinical practice and implementation, and enrich the delegate experience.

More than 30 leading global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including GSK, Roche, Pfizer, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, maintain regional headquarters, R&D centres or manufacturing operations in Singapore. Alongside them, over 400 MedTech companies and more than 60 biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities operate locally, forming one of the region’s most concentrated life sciences sectors. Decades of investment have built substantial manufacturing capacity. Biopharmaceutical production output doubled to S$13.9 billion (approximately €9.5 billion) in 2023, while MedTech production increased tenfold to S$18.9 billion (approximately €13 billion). This growth is supported by a highly skilled workforce, efficient logistics, and sound regulatory and intellectual property frameworks for global biomedical operations.
 

21st World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (WCES 2025)

Singapore’s strong biomedical and MedTech capabilities are reflected in the scientific programmes of international congresses hosted in the city.

Two examples are the World Congress of Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgery 2024 and the 21^st World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (WCES) 2025, both held in Singapore under the presidency of Professor Davide Lomanto.

Lomanto (pictured on the right) says the local technological environment supports advanced surgical education. “The advanced technology available, including connectivity like 5G, makes it possible to organise high-tech educational events,” he explains. “Singapore hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge technology and this facilitates enormously the display of new devices and systems. Participants can experience first-hand technologies such as robotic devices and surgical simulators. Moreover, Singapore being a hub for MedTech makes technology readily available without shipping from overseas.”

At the same time, Singapore’s strategic position and connectivity help bring together global communities. “Singapore is the perfect location for international events,” Lomanto says. “Being in the heart of Asia and having extensive connectivity allows participants, speakers and sponsors to reach the island easily, often with a single stop. Logistics for exhibitors are also straightforward, from shipping and customs to local support.”

Accessibility translated into broad international participation. “In both events we hosted faculty and participants from more than 53 countries spanning South America, Africa, North America, Europe and, of course, Asia,” he notes. “The connectivity and support from Singapore Airlines were instrumental.” Lomanto also emphasises long-term outcomes. “Everything we do at an international congress, from lectures and symposia to hands-on training, should ultimately aim to improve patient safety and care,” he said. At WCES 2025, this translated into more than nine workshops and a three-day series of live surgical demonstrations, including the Minimal Invasive Surgery (MIS) Skills Competition.

A Vote of Confidence from the International Community

Singapore’s role as a recurring host for major biomedical and healthcare congresses reflects sustained confidence from international associations. Located in a region facing rapid population ageing and shifting disease profiles, the city is the gateway to clinical expertise, research priorities and patient populations that are relevant to important areas of modern medicine, such as oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders and age-related care. For organisations with growing Asia-Pacific membership, the context allows congress programmes to combine international scientific standards with regional clinical perspectives.

Events spanning surgery, oncology, sleep medicine and healthcare quality have returned over multiple editions, drawn by operational excellence. Among these, the experience of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) illustrates how Singapore functions not simply as a host destination but as a stable Asia-Pacific anchor for a global association.
 

European Society for Medical Oncology Asia Congress 2025

“The ESMO Asia Congress is an important annual platform that brings together the Asia-Pacific oncology community,” says Zarina Othman, Head of Asia Region Operations at ESMO. “Its accessibility in Singapore supports broad regional participation, which is essential for a meeting designed for oncology professionals across the region. From an operational perspective, Singapore has offered the consistency and predictability we need to deliver a recurring congress of the scale that is ESMO Asia Congress. Returning to Singapore has allowed us to maintain continuity in processes, stakeholder collaboration and delegate experience, contributing to a stable and impactful congress for the Asia-Pacific region.”

In 2025, Singapore hosted several major international congresses, including WCES, ESMO Asia, the 44^th Biennial World Congress of the International College of Surgeons, the World Sleep Congress, and the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare. In 2026, the city hosts the World Congress of the International Hepato Pancreato Biliary Association, the World Congress of Chinese Medicine and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery World Congress. In the lead up to 2030, Singapore will host the Congress of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in 2027, followed by the 20^th World Congress of Intensive and Critical Care and the Congress of the International Academy of Pathology in 2030, underscoring sustained international confidence in Singapore’s biomedical and meetings sector.

For associations evaluating their next congress destination, the city offers more than facilities or incentives. It provides access to a mature biomedical sector, a diverse regional audience and a delivery environment supporting scientific exchange and long-term collaboration.
 

Discover how Singapore can partner you to host events that make an impact: www.visitsingapore.com/MICE

See how associations and meeting planners are delivering successful events in Singapore.

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Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

The Gold Coast is setting the standard for international business events, combining world-class venues, unique experiences, and stunning natural landscapes. From pristine beaches to the lush Hinterland, the city offers incentive programmes that are both memorable and strategically impactful.

The Gold Coast continues to set the benchmark for Australian business events, hosting over half of Queensland’s conferences and incentive programmes each year. With exceptional hotels, state-of-the-art venues, creative spaces, natural beauty, and unique attractions, it’s easy to understand why planners choose this city to deliver experiences that are memorable, meaningful and commercially impactful.

For a limited time, Experience Gold Coast is offering financial support for small to medium international incentive groups that meet the criteria below. Unlock up to $70 per delegate for your next international incentive program to the Gold Coast – for a group of 250 could mean up to AUD$17,500 in financial support. (Terms and conditions apply.)

• Groups of 70 to 250 people.
   
• Minimum two-night stay on the Gold Coast.
   
• Include a formal meeting or function.
   
• Accommodation and experiences booked with Experience Gold Coast partners.
   
• Programmes must be delivered by June 30, 2027.

DISCOVER THE HINTERLAND

Part of the Gold Coast's unique appeal is its proximity to pristine wilderness and natural beauty of our gorgeous, green Hinterland. Just an hour’s drive from the coast a completely different experience awaits, where the charming country villages are scattered across a mountain range, surrounded by 100,000 hectares of World Heritage-listed rainforest and national parks.

Explore award-winning wineries, waterfalls, guided day trips, bracing hikes, eco-lodges, and nature-based experiences that rejuvenate and inspire. Many delegates will only know about the famous beaches of the Gold Coast - surprise and delight them with unexpected off-site experiences or incentive trips located in the lush Hinterland.
 

WHAT’S NEW ON THE GOLD COAST

Astra Lumina

Astra Lumina is an enchanting light and sound experience, set in the beautiful bushland at the iconic Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Once night has fallen, set out on a 1.5km winding trail through the rainforested gardens, illuminated by magical lanterns, lasers, and light installations. The immersive adventure includes soundscapes and projections that dance across the canopy and floor, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

SOL Elements

Located on a lake in the subtropical forest of Mount Tambourine, SOL Elements Bathhouse integrates ancient elemental healing (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) with modern wellness practices – rotate between thermal pools, saunas, cold plunges, Himalayan salt caves, and organic spa treatments for deep relaxation. The natural setting enhances the sense of serenity you’ll experience here.

Mondrian Gold Coast

Just steps from the sand, Australia’s first Mondrian hotel (pictured below) brings bold design, immersive spaces and barefoot luxury to Burleigh Beach. A vibrant dining precinct features a lively all-day Italian restaurant, a lobby bar, a seafood restaurant, and an energetic pool club, while an innovative bio-wellness spa and striking event spaces capture the dynamic spirit of the region.

GOLD COAST EVENTS

How to create a completely unique experience for delegates? Tap into the energy and excitement of the city’s major events covering sports, culture and entertainment. Plan your business event to coincide with some of the incredible annual events that bring the Gold Coast to life.

Blues on Broadbeach – May 14-17

This award-winning event fills the streets, parks, beachfront and venues of Broadbeach with blues music. Music lovers enjoy an array of excellent live gigs on the stages and a party vibe on the streets. With 20 performance areas spread across the precinct, it’s been a favourite on the local events calendar since its launch in 2002.

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast – August 14-16

In August the skies over Surfers Paradise come alive with the thunderous rumbling of jets as Australia’s biggest and most spectacular air show comes to town. Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a three-day festival of incredible choreographed aerial displays, breathtaking aviation stunts and a dazzling party atmosphere on the sands of Surfers Paradise.

Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 – October 23-25

Fans of fast cars and motorsport eagerly await the annual Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, when the streets of Surfers Paradise are transformed into a world-class street circuit for an action-packed three days. The event centres around a bustling hub of bars, dining, race spectating and entertainment with three huge nights of live music with local and international acts.

This offer from Experience Gold Coast is only available until funding is exhausted, so if you’re an international event organiser planning an incentive programme in Australia, get in touch with our experienced team of Business Events professionals today.

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Ahead of the 3rd edition of the International Business Forum “BE in Sabah 2026”, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre from 4–5 February 2026, the Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB) organised the “Sabah BE Bootcamp” on 3 February.

The initiative was designed to strengthen destination sales capabilities within Sabah’s business events ecosystem.

Puan Noredah Othman, CEO of Sabah Convention Bureau explains: “This Bootcamp is a short,intense and immersive training programme focused on an essential and specific, in-demand skill set – sales and bidding. Sabah’s business events (BE) ecosystem needs a hone a different set of skills to promote and sell Sabah as a business events destination. Through this first-ever Bootcamp, SCB is incubating and empowering our collaborators – government, academia, Sabah chapter members of international and regional associations, BE suppliers – to work in partnership with the Convention Bureau to sell Sabah as the destination for business events.”

The inaugural edition, titled From Leads to Bids, was delivered with instructors from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and consultancy GainingEdge. The programme included practical exercises, case studies, brainstorming sessions and pitching simulations, with participation capped at 50 attendees to maintain an interactive format.

A central feature of the training was “The Buaya Pit”, a simulated bid presentation environment. Programme manager Jane Vong Holmes from GainingEdge explains: “In this Pit, we have only friendly buayas with one aim - to share knowledge in the interest of improvement. Just like the business-themed reality series “Shark Tank” entrepreneurs making a business presentation to a panel of angel investors, the six Bootcamp participant teams presented their “Why Choose Sabah” business case to the ‘decision-making committees of an international convention and a most-sought after international incentive group.”
 

Participants highlighted the exercise as one of the most valuable elements of the programme. One participant agrees: “The Buaya Pit was the most impactful because it encouraged teamwork, allowed us to present our ideas, and receive constructive feedback on areas for improvement.”

Another participant chips in: “What I liked most about the Sabah BE Bootcamp 2026 was the hands on pitching experience, especially during the Buaya Pit, which closely simulated a real judging environment and challenged us to think on our feet.”

Feedback gathered after the event also indicated that peer discussion contributed significantly to learning, with one participant noting he gained knowledge not just from the instructors but also through roundtable discussions while preparing presentations.

Mike Williams, Senior Partner and Senior Consultant from GainingEdge who was the Lead Instructor adds: “I was immensely impressed by the strong turnout and enthusiastic support from across the Sabah community, spanning the business events industry, professional associations, and government. It underscores just how seriously Sabah views the potential of business events.”

SCB intends to continue the programme in future editions with adapted formats. Puan Noredah concludes: “The Sabah Convention Bureau intends to present further editions of Bootcamp with variations to cater for the diversity within our BE community and their needs. Each and every Bootcamp will come with its signature formula: more practical, hands-on training and always knowledge sharing and exchange. For this reason, participant numbers at each Bootcamp will be capped to ensure an intimate and interactive learning experience.”

Sabah BE Bootcamp 2026 was presented by Sabah Convention Bureau with the support of Sabah International Convention Centre and knowledge partners ICCA and GainingEdge.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

When the world’s space community converged on Sydney for the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), the scale, ambition and complexity of the event demanded more than a venue. It required a true delivery partner.

 

Hosted at International Convention & Exhibition Centre - ICC Sydney, the prestigious International Astronautical Congress transformed the city into the global epicentre of space, science and innovation. Over one extraordinary week, ICC Sydney showcased what is possible when strategic collaboration, technical excellence and people-first delivery come together at scale.

A global gathering with local impact

 

From competitive bid to global stage

A venue transformed

Innovation in action

 

Operational excellence under pressure

Watch the highlights of the event here

A legacy beyond the event

In partnership with Business Events Australia. 

 

Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has launched a refreshed website to inspire meeting planners to discover transformational experiences for their next event.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) General Manager of Partnerships and Events Tara Bennett said the website would be introduced at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2026 as part of the Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef update on the destination.

“Our business events team and 12 members will be representing Cairns & Great Barrier Reef at stand C20, a zero-waste destination stand designed with local partner NQ Exhibitions,” she said. “The new website will reinforce the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef promise to Connect Great and Leave Greater that ensures business events in Tropical North Queensland have a far-reaching impact on delegates.

“Transformational experiences take delegates deeper into the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest with World Heritage values closely connected to the destination’s First Nations people.

“Multi-sensory journeys exploring and contributing to our World Heritage areas are perfect for team building, Corporate Social Responsibility, off-site events and post-event adventures and this is captured in the new Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef website.

“We have new images from recent events and blogs to assist with event marketing and to help to boost delegate numbers.

“Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef also has a new funding program to attract and secure business events with a minimum of 150 delegates staying for three nights to the region over the next four years.

“International and national eligible events can apply for funding of $10,000 or more for events taking place before 30 June 2029.

“In addition to the financial support, the Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef team will continue to provide a suite of complimentary services through the convention bureau.

“These include connecting meeting planners with venues and accommodation providers, and the broader local events supply network, delegate boosting and marketing support, as well as air and ground support for site inspections.”

The funding initiative is supported by key partners Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council, who work alongside Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef to secure major business events for the region.

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

For three decades, the Legends Global managed Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has played a central role in how Brisbane connects with the world. Marked throughout 2025 and continuing into 2026, the 30th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the venue’s contribution to the city, to Queensland and to Australia’s business events landscape, and on the foundations it has established for the decade ahead. This spotlight comes at a moment when Brisbane is entering a period of accelerated transformation, shaped by long-term investment, international visibility and preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Venue Built For Global Congresses

Collaboration As A Competitive Advantage

Social Impact, Sustainability And Community Legacy

  

Marking A Milestone For The Industry

As BCEC continues its anniversary celebrations into 2026, the focus remains firmly on delivery, partnership and readiness for what lies ahead. Delegates attending AIME 2026 will have the opportunity to engage directly with the BCEC team to learn more about the centre’s 30-year journey, its current capabilities and the role it will play as Brisbane prepares for 2032. HQ will also explore this story further during an upcoming site visit later this year.

  

Charlies Foundation for Research Recipient Milad Mirzaei

Today, Business Events Perth is proud to announce the 2025 Aspire Award recipients, representing excellence across each of the program’s partner categories in recognition of Western Australia’s leading researchers, academics and professionals.

  

“Each year, the Aspire Awards showcase the incredible depth of talent, innovation and leadership within Western Australia’s academic and professional community. These recipients exemplify the spirit of curiosity, collaboration and achievement that drives our State’s reputation for excellence on the global stage. Attending conferences is invaluable, it encourages genuine connection, meaningful exchange and collaboration. Through the Aspire program, we’re proud to assist Western Australian thought leaders engage at these global conferences, experiences that not only advance their research and professional development but also create opportunities for these events to return to Western Australia in future years.”

2025 Aspire Award Recipients

• Charlies Foundation For Research Aspire Award: Milad Mirzaei
• Edith Cowan University Aspire Awards: Dr Shannon Dee
• Harry Perkins Institute Aspire Award: Dr Hanane Belhoul-Fakir
• Murdoch University Aspire Award: Dr Yuval Gurfinkel
• Perron Institute Aspire Award: Dr Julie Brose
• The Kids Research Institute Australia Aspire Award: Dr Renee Ng
• The University of Notre Dame Aspire Award: Dr James Debenham
• The University of Western Australia Aspire Award: Dr Joseph Carpini
• THIS IS FREMANTLE Aspire Award: Michael Piu
• Business Events Perth Early Mid-Career Aspire Awars: Dr Jessica Cale & Dr Jun Yuan

 

Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) has announced the appointment of Datu Hii Chang Kee as its new Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective 1 November 2025.

Datu Hii, currently the Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Operation) — overseeing public communication, service transformation, innovation, and the digitalisation of government services — steps into the role following the retirement of former Chairman Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul Karim bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, in August this year.

Renowned for his progressive vision and inclusive leadership, Datu Hii brings with him a deep understanding of how government, industry, and community can work together to create meaningful impact. He aims to steer BESarawak toward becoming Malaysia’s leading convention bureau and a regional muscle for legacy-driven events.

“The appointment of Datu Hii is timely and strategic,” said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak. “His position within government enables him to bridge strategy and execution, ensuring that Sarawak becomes an international model of inclusive leadership where collaboration between government and industry drives sustainable growth.”

Guided by this vision, Datu Hii is determined to position Sarawak as a key destination for impactful, legacy-driven business events that contribute meaningfully to the economy, community, and sustainable development, in line with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.

“Over the next five years, we will align plans to transform Sarawak into a business events destination of high strategic value,” says Datu Hii. “Our direction will be guided by three pillars – transformation and innovation, impact and legacy, and partnerships and people.”

“To achieve this, we have outlined five key focus areas, which are destination development, market diversification, digital transformation, sustainability leadership, and talent development,” he continues.

“These areas form the backbone of Sarawak’s journey towards becoming a globally recognised destination for high-value, high-impact business events where progress, partnership, and pride merge for a sustainable future.”

With over 30 years of experience in the public sector, Datu Hii’s career is marked by a strong foothold in business events and tourism, having previously served as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and leading the formulation of the Sarawak Tourism Master Plan 2021–2035.

“His appointment marks a new chapter for Sarawak’s business events industry, balancing continuity with fresh ambition to elevate Sarawak’s global competitiveness,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak.

"His extensive experience in public service, coupled with his deep understanding of the business events landscape, will be invaluable to the industry’s future and significance to the government and society.”

Datu Hii recently chaired the Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit, which led to the Borneo Legacy Declaration, a landmark agreement endorsed by policymakers and influencers from Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

It also stands as a strong testament to Sarawak’s leadership in driving positive long-term change across the Asia Pacific, as well as to Datu Hii’s influence in uniting international players in championing business event legacies at the policy-making level.

Among his impressive list of achievements, Datu Hii has served on the Sarawak Tourism Board, Sarawak Arts Council, and Tourism Malaysia, contributing to landmark projects such as the Borneo Cultures Museum. He holds degrees in Housing, Building and Planning, Law, and Human Resource Development, and is a Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows Programme graduate.

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.