Northstar

SPECIAL FEATURE Asia Business Meet 2018 18 SEP-OCT 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM from US and Europe discovered new destinations and venues. For a US buyer representing an international company with regional oces in Asia, it allowed him to draw up a list of potential destinations for his annual events calendar, of which there is at least one event each month. His groups entail 150-200 industry leaders and their spouses, which makes it about 250 to 300, and Asia is ideal for his groups as there are many options for family-friendly resort or luxury properties with a minimum meeting space of 10,000 sq ft. Another US buyer from a meetings and incentives agency cited the safety factor as reason for his keen interest in Asia. He represents clients in food, real estate and automobile industries as well as aerospace aftermarket suppliers who have groups ranging from 25 to 900. Destinations such as Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok and Vietnam are on his radar. Where the world meets in Asia I ntimate and purposeful was the order of the day, where quality buyers from US, Europe and Asia gathered for rigorous 1-2-1 appointments and ample networking opportunities. Hosted at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Expo & Convention Centre, buyers had a full day of business matching sessions with suppliers that included international hotel chains, venue providers, destination management companies and convention bureaus. "We want ABM to be an event that highlights the best of Asia." JANET TANCOLLIS, PRESIDENT, SACEOS. For the Europeans, Asia's connectivity is one of the chief appeals, and many airlines oer good deals for Europe-Asia routes, not to mention the overall value for money that the region provides with its good service, hotels and venues. A Germany-based organiser who managed large conferences said that Asia's wide variety of high-quality venues met the requirements of his clients from real estate, nance and consultancy rms. "Asia's prominence in international business is reected by the high level of interest - and bookings - we continue to see from meeting, exhibition and incentive buyers from all over the world directed toward Asian destinations. ABM is a manifestation of that," added David Blanseld, executive vice president/ group publisher, Meetings Group, Northstar Travel Group.

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