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FEATURE | DMOs 12 Jul-Aug 2016 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com buyers, promotion & marketing, opening ceremony and translation," says a senior management spokesperson at IPIM. 3. Be Rewarded Hong Kong hands out the goodies with its Hong Kong Rewards! Programme, which offers discounts and service privileges from arrival to departure. These benefits include: new and upgraded offers from hotel partners and major attractions; complimentary cocktail receptions offered by over 40 hotels; offers at world-class attractions, such as Hong Kong Disneyland's exclusive group photo and CEO procession moment, Ocean Park Hong Kong's welcome drink and souvenir, and more; up to HK$2,000 in shopping and dining discounts at about 400 airport restaurants and shops for each MICE delegate; and complimentary cultural performances, such as traditional lion and dragon dances, and kung fu performances. Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) Simon Wong, regional director, Southeast Asia shares, "Since 2012, we have been organising the "Hong Kong Top MICE Agent Awards" in Mainland China, Indonesia and India to encourage travel agents to bring more MICE groups to Hong Kong. The winning agents are awarded a complimentary tour to Hong Kong to gain first-hand experience of our MICE offerings and to get connected with our local trade partners. In view of the positive feedback of the programme, this year we have extended the geographical span to South Korea." Ow shared that the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB) has introduced the In Singapore Incentives and rewards (INSPIRE) programme with curated itineraries centred on the best of Singapore's dining, entertainment and attractions. "We recently launched the INSPIRE programme for Europe and North America, which includes unique cocktail experiences at iconic venues and thematic business tours around Singapore," she adds. 4. More Hands on Deck Ow from STB adds, "We have increased our support for more quality business events through the BEiS scheme. Besides providing funds to help organisers defray a percentage of qualifying costs, SECB also offers customised support in securing venues, linking up with leading government agencies, or marketing and publicity of events." STO's Kim Byung-tae also shares, "Programmes launched in recent years include MICE Supporters, which mobilises university students and trains them to provide operational and personnel support for events. 5. Small Things Matter Singapore assists with the Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP), which was developed in partnership with Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport Group. SMAP provides event planners and MICE delegates with a host of benefits and convenient services such as financial support, airfare deals, excess baggage allowance and marketing assistance. Event assistance in Seoul includes MICE Cards for public transportation, taxis, and even certain cafes, convenience stores, cosmetic shops, and other stores; and MICE Tours that are customised for delegates. HKTB's MICE arm – Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) – assists planners with accommodation search, provides city-wide hospitality and trade offers, facilitates dedicated immigration counters at Hong Kong International Airport, assembles complimentary welcome delegate packages, and presents cultural and leisure experiences. 6. It's Playtime! Woven into the fabric of meetings, discussions, and workshops is the element of networking events that adds to the overall experience of an overseas event. Destinations such as Macau provide a colourful backdrop of MICE facilities housed within an integrated resort complex with a myriad of entertainment activities and facilities, as well as world-class restaurants and luxury shopping options. "Macao is rapidly developing its appeal as a leisure, cultural, entertainment, retail, dining and business events destination. Take for example our dining scene, Macau now boasts 16 Michelin-star restaurants. An incredible feat in such a short space of time and for a city of 640,000 and a landmass of only 30 sq km," says a senior management spokesperson at IPIM. From top clockwise: Singapore's Clifford Pier offers traditional cuisines in a plush environment; The charismatic Trishaw Uncle takes tourists around Singapore; Dubai Opera offers 2,000 seats for performances and events; Action at the races in Dubai; Agents learn tai chi on a Hong Kong fam trip; N Seoul Tower features a new lighting system that allows planners to customise the mood and ambience