Safety, sustainability and ‘open arms’ underpin Taiwan’s events surge

Taiwan's events industry has made a triumphant return, now larger than ever and welcoming all visitors with open arms. 

During the recent Taiwan Pulse fam trip, hosted by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), M&C Asia discovers some of the destination's latest news and offerings:  

A record attendance at the COMPUTEX show in Taipei demonstrates the island’s bounce-back for international meetings and trade shows. 

Taiwan’s COMPUTEX trade show at the TaiNEX centre in Taipei registered a 12% increase in attendance compared to before the pandemic in 2019.

Some 47,594 information and communications technology professionals from 150 countries flocked to one of the world’s most prestigious exhibitions at the in this sector, one in which Taiwan is considered a global leader.

Robots, smart home systems, artificial intelligence platforms and every conceivable high-tech gadget and service were on show, many originating in Taiwan itself. The event also hosted dozens of related meetings, presentations, lectures and seminars with industry megastar Jensen Huang, the Taiwanese-born founder and CEO of NVIDIA, the top AI computing company, taking the stage in the COMPUTEX Keynote event.

The show’s co-organiser TAITRA is also responsible for overseeing MEET TAIWAN, the island’s MICE promotion arm, whose welcoming slogan ‘Open Arms’ reflects the warm and generous hospitality visitors can expect.

Earth Mission app

For COMPUTEX, TAITRA partnered with computer giant Acer to launch an Earth Mission APP, a 21-day sustainable lifestyle app inviting all exhibition attendees to follow personal energy-saving and carbon-reduction practices through the programme. The app recorded 3,000 downloads during the exhibition, and as a result COMPUTEX will plant trees in the Amazon rainforest through the non-profit organization, One Tree Planted.

This approach dovetails perfectly with MEET TAIWAN’S broader target of achieving net zero emission by 2050 within the events sector.

Jerchin Lee, managing director of MEET TAIWAN, stresses that despite media coverage of cross-straits tensions with mainland China, the reality is that visiting the island is perfectly safe. Getting that message across to meeting planners and event organisers is a key task.

Lee also pointed to the proactive intervention of the government during the pandemic period. “Our government gave subsidies to help [event companies] to pay salaries to their staff, to keep the staff in the industry. That's very important. Otherwise, they would leave the industry.”

Lydia Huang, marketing director of Taiwan Tour, a travel agency specialising in MICE groups, was upbeat about future prospects: “Taiwan is ready to cater to the diverse needs of MICE travellers in various ways and ensure successful and memorable events throughout the year. We are excited about the prospects for the MICE sector in Taiwan this year.”

Asia New Bay Area

One key regional development is the Asia New Bay Area in the southern city of Kaohsiung. This 600-hectare mega-project encompasses a visionary plan to create an industrial, cultural and exhibition hub. The investment plan includes the integration of the Kaohsiung Music Center, Kaohsiung Public Library, Kaohsiung Software Park Information Service, Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC), Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, and other projects.

Renee Chu, project director of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center Corporation, said that the city is on the cusp of becoming one of the most advanced MICE destinations in the region and not simply due to exhibitions and conferences but incentives too.

“We have been chosen by many international brands to host their incentive activities such as Cathay Life, Amway, Nuskin and Herbalife. They are frequent clients of Kaohsiung.”

Kaosiung Exhibition Center

Opened in 2014 on Kaohsiung Harbour, the wave-themed exterior architecture of the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center (KEC), pays tribute to the city’s maritime heritage. As a centre for shipping, petrochemicals and logistics, Kaohsiung combines a stunning harbour-side ambience with strong roots in modern industry and business, contributing to its attractions for various corporate sectors.

The KEC has 15 meeting rooms with various configurations from 20 to 1,200 classroom style and 40 to 2,000 theatre-style. With its private 5G network the KEC provides connectivity for makes hybrid events and online presentations.

Amber Shih, KEC deputy marketing manager, explained another technological innovation: “We are using an AI translator. You can just speak your own mother-tongue and a screen will instantly show the translated content. It can also be used for subtitles for online conferences. So you don't need to hire interpreters and all attendees just need to use their own mobile phones to download the translation app. There is no need to use [simultaneous translation] equipment anymore.”

Connectivity

Kaohsiung International Airport has direct flights from 40 major Asian cities and is just 90 minutes from Taipei on the High Speed Rail network. The city is also home to a major cruise terminal. The city has more than 450 hotels of various classes, of which more than 3,500 rooms and suites are at five-star level, recent arrivals include the Marriott Kaohsiung, which has 16 meeting spaces and a capacity for up to 3,000 people in its Grand Ballroom, and the InterContinental whose pillared Grand Ballroom can host up to 480 participants.

Taipei’s Artistic and Historic Venues

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei’s Xinyi District

It comprises 6.6-hectares of buildings, open-air spaces and gardens. Opened in 1937 as the Songshan Tobacco Factory, it was the centre of the island’s modern tobacco industry under Japanese control. Built in Japanese modernist style, the factory has been turned into a park comprising a Baroque-style garden, an ecologically landscaped pond, a public bath and a multi-purpose auditorium. The park was set aside to encourage local designers and cultural and creative businesses to set up their workshops, and as a venue with a unique backdrop for cultural performances, exhibitions and corporate events. Its industrial chic has become a particularly popular theme for fashion-related brand events.

The Mayor’s Residence Art Salon

Built during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, as its name suggests the building served as the official home of Taipei’s mayors from its construction in 1940 until 1994. In 1999, the Japanese-style building was converted into a multi-functional space, including a small restaurant, separate private dining rooms, but also space for art displays, literary discussions, poetry readings and the like. The quirky garden sculptures add to its artistic attraction. Aside from private banquets for VIP guests, the historical building and grounds offer an unusual event space for cocktails, and corporates and brand events.

Si Si Nan Village

Situated close to the towering structure of Taipei 101, Si Si Nan (44 South) Village was designated as the Xinyi Public Assembly Hall. The buildings were originally home to military dependents (the number 44 refers to the original military unit of the Kuomintang Army) but have been renovated to provide arts, cultural and dining spaces. Suitable for small groups, the venues are ideal for small presentations or cocktail evenings. This is also a great spot for group souvenir photographs with Taipei 101 in the background.