Changi Airport has begun transforming the passenger experience with new contactless and cleaning innovations for a safer, but yet seamless, airport journey. These measures will be rolled out airport-wide in preparation for when air travel into and out of Singapore gradually resumes.

At Changi’s automated kiosks, new proximity sensors are being installed progressively to eliminate the need for travellers to touch the electronic screens when they check in or drop off their bags. Used for the first time in any airport, infrared sensors will enable passengers to select options and key in their travel details by pointing their finger close to the screen without touching it. For those who need to check in at counters staffed by customer service agents, acrylic screens will provide a safe barrier between passengers and staff.

Covid-19 has caused IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2020 physical events to be deferred to 28-30 September 2021. A virtual event is being planned in fourth quarter of this year. For updates, visit: https://itcma.com/
 
The continued uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation, causing travel restrictions and limited aviation options, as well as other related reasons, have led to the deferment of this year’s show at this critical juncture in the event’s timeline.

A survey conducted in June by the Organiser of  ITE Hong Kong travel fair received 1506 replies from respondents.  The survey asks where respondents would be interested in visiting after travel restrictions are lifted, and the results show strong pent-up demand for travels.
 
The findings based on these 1506 replies are compared, whenever appropriate, to a similar survey held in June 2019 with similar respondent profiles.

A long list of Thai MICE venue operators are exhibiting their new health measures ready to be executed for the debut of business events after the government allowed MICE industry to restart with no limit on size and attendance under the fourth-phase easing of lockdown measures.
 
To demonstrate concerted action of the public and private sector in propelling Thai MICE industry into new normal landscape, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Department of Health (DOH) under the Ministry of Public Health led the press in the inspection visit to Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) last week to view their new health measures for the upcoming business events, starting at the end of June, and make suggestions where appropriate. The inspection at BITEC followed the visit to IMPACT, another major venue of Bangkok. Visit to other MICE venues and hotel venues around Bangkok will follow.

The construction of a new exhibition convention facility is set to begin in Jamsil, Seoul, on the grounds surrounding the existing Jamsil Sports Complex. Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on 5 June 2020 that the eligibility study for the ‘Jamsil Sports-MICE Private Investment Project’ commissioned by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) in January 2017 was completed. Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to select the preferred candidates for negotiation in 2021 and will begin construction the following year, with an expected completion date sometime in 2025. 

​Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), with one billion baht budget allocation, outlines its strategies to bring MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) back to life by stimulating domestic market, heavily bidding for international business events in line with key strategic economic sectors and boosting the recognition of the country’s high hygiene standard. 

Forty-seven pioneering Thai trade shows will resume under new guidelines this year, proof-positive of progress in the fight against Covid-19, and evidence of the safe and viable working arrangements and restrictions implemented by the Thai government.
 
The third-phase easing of lockdown, active as of 1 June 2020, lifts restrictions on the operation of economic and social activities, provided they abide by new health and safety rules and regulations imposed by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health.
 
These measures include the reopening of convention and exhibition centres for business, provided they close by 21.00 and limit event size to 20,000sqm, and the creation of meetings, seminars and conferences limited to 200 participants. ​

​Organisers and stakeholders in business events industry, the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions, and Mega events and Festivals can now take advantage of a real-time news service dedicated to business events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Created and managed by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the website includes government insight and measures on the status of the COVID-19 infection in Thailand and worldwide, as well as online resources for organisers and visitors seeking to benefit from regular updates.

IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific is partnering ICCA, IMEX, PCMA, and SITE – four of the industry’s biggest associations and trendsetters for its brand new learning festival DDFI.

Slated as the first knowledge segment of the 3-day doublebill event, the inaugural festival features four parallel themes close to the hearts of industry professionals, each helmed by one of its content partners. Themes will run concurrently over 3 hours - across different locations at official venue Bangkok Convention Centre from 0900 to 1200 hrs on 22 September 2020.