SINGAPORE – As the outbreak forces face-to-face interactions to be kept to a minimum, virtual events are all the rage now. Zoom meetings and webinars are the most commonly held, but what if you need to organise a full-on conference with multiple tracks, exhibitor booths and networking?

WORLDWIDE – webEDGE, the IAPCO online learning platform, has included in its launch, a brand-new Congress Project Management Package, which is delivered by meeting professionals.

MELBOURNE - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) expansion, has received the Green Building Council of Australia’s Five Green Star rating for building design.

ASIA – Ahead of the anticipated increase in travel costs due to strong demand and weaker supply, the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) is urging the industry to collaborate and maintain pre-pandemic prices as much as possible to “ensure regional competitiveness”.

BRISBANE – Since early April, Queensland and Brisbane have seen a consolidated flattening of the curve of COVID-19 numbers, with daily increases dropping to under 1%. On 20 April, Queensland recorded its first day with no new cases and since that time, has recorded numerous days without new cases.

MELBOURNE - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is working to transform its business as a driver in the state of Victoria’s economic recovery beyond COVID-19.

KUALA LUMPUR - Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM)’s appeal to the government to establish a restart date for its businesses is still ongoing. Mr Alan Pryor, chairman, Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM), said: “We are continuing to work closely with the industry supply chain and stakeholders and have had some positive dialogue with government ministries. We believe that we have made a strong case for the reopening of the business events industry and hope to see some progress soon.”

NARA - Nara Prefectural Convention Center has re-opened with new health and safety protocols and control measures to welcome business events.

AUCKLAND – In a promising sign of recovery, the New Zealand government has confirmed that large events with separate groups of 100 can proceed. This came into effect on 30 May.

KOH SAMUI - Samujana, a secluded luxury villa estate in Koh Samui, is working with Hong Kong’s Portier Technologies, to provide contactless service by utilising Portier Phones.

USA – Meeting planner optimism about the return of live events is waning, according to Northstar Meetings Group's latest Pulse Survey. Fewer respondents are actively planning and booking meetings. Those who are, meanwhile, are increasingly choosing dates in 2021 at the earliest. And even when we're past the COVID-19 crisis, we should expect to see fewer, smaller and more local events. A decline in confidence is evident throughout the survey's May 19 findings.

WORLDWIDE - According to the International Meetings Market 2019 Report recently published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Macao has climbed up 23 ranks to the 48th among cities worldwide.

SINGAPORE – Since the announcement of the Fortitude Budget on 26 May, M&C Asia has garnered various comments from the MICE trade showing support and relief for the new budget, whilst further appeals are being lodged by those hoping to receive higher wage subsidies.

SINGAPORE – Previously marketed as floating cities packed with entertainment and activities, cruises will need to be positioned very differently to recapture consumer confidence in a post-COVID-19 world, say planners.