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The Japan Meetings and Events Newsletter is sent to you by the London office of the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO).
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Welcome to Japan. New ideas for 2021 start here.
Around the world, it’s custom to start the new year with a fresh outlook. This is the first year in living memory when a global health pandemic continues to drive uncertainty and place limitations on our ambitions. The challenges we are living through are unprecedented. However, looking back on the past twelve months and how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the world as we know it, we’ve certainly learnt a great deal about resilience, and also how adversity can drive innovation.
After a decade of huge success as a host for major international events such as the G20 Summit in Osaka and the Rugby World Cup, Japan was riding high when the pandemic hit. Foreign visitor numbers soared from 8.61 million in 2010 to a record 31.88 million in 2019. So, the impact of the pandemic was a blow. But, over the past year we’ve continued working closely with industry partners, Convention Bureaus, venues and government to adapt our approach and continue industry engagement through different event formats which allow us to keep staff, delegates and the public safe.
It is certain that the meetings and events industry has changed. What this will look like as we hopefully move towards recovery later this year may be uncertain, but we remain proactive, forward looking and flexible in our approach to help the industry return to business safely when it is time to do so. We wish all of our partners and colleagues a healthy, happy and prosperous 2021 and hope to do business with you again very soon.
Eleanor Wyllie | Convention Manager
Japan Convention Bureau
Japan National Tourism Organization
3rd Floor, 32 Queensway, London, United Kingdom
E: eleanor_wyllie@jnto.go.jp
T: +44 20 7398 5670 |
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Guidelines for operating events safely
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In accordance with directives from central government, counter measures were developed for businesses and individuals to keep the public safe. This involves preventing the 3Cs:
- Closed spaces with poor ventilation
- Crowded spaces where many people are closely gathered
- Close contact points leading to droplet infection
Complementing these guidelines, industry specific information has been produced by the Japan Convention Management Association summarising the measures that should be adhered to when organising, promoting and running business events in these challenging times.
You can hear more from our Executive Vice President, Katsumi Endo, on this subject here.
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Harnessing digital for hybrid event experiences
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, many of our clients have been leading the way in this new world by harnessing digital platforms to keep business moving. When the pandemic hit us in 2020, we spoke to Mathias Posch, president of Vancouver based International Conferences Services. He stressed the importance of taking a flexible approach and not just planning to return to ‘meetings as usual’. While the lion’s share of most PCO’s business will traditionally come from physical events, there is money to be made and networking opportunities to be gained through online events. In Posch’s view, those who have invested in upskilling in order to deliver and market polished online experiences, will be better placed to emerge from the pandemic and rebuild business. He offers some useful insights on how to make online webinars and events compelling.
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Business Events Tokyo took this to a new level last year, using ANA Avatar, the world’s first robotic avatar service platform to deliver a virtual event with attendees from remote locations around the world. Participants attending from ten different locations were able to see, hear and feel the remote world where the event was hosted through the robot senses. This technology utilises ‘newme’ – an avatar video conferencing robot which also allows users to adjust the vertical position of an on screen avatar so they can communicate face to face without worrying about social distancing.
Masahiro Tsutsu, senior manager of avatarin, commented that this workshop was an important step toward the realization of avatars for MICE (avatar MICE), helping event organisers facilitate face to face communication while overcoming social distancing restrictions.
Similarly, the Japanese Dermatological Association switched plans for its 119th AGM, originally scheduled to take place last summer in Kyoto, to an online format for the first time in the event’s history. We interviewed Convention Linkage Co. Ltd, the PCO in charge of managing the event to garner some insight on what made the event successful.
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Celebrating the winners of the JAPAN Best Travel Incentive Awards 2020
COVID-19 certainly hasn’t put a damper on celebrations following this year’s JAPAN Best Travel Incentive Awards, a contest run by the Japan Convention Bureau to recognise best practice in incentive travel to Japan. Judging the awards allowed us to reminisce on the enjoyment of welcoming visitors to experience Japan, its diverse locations and culture.
Best Incentive Travel was awarded to teamtravel International GmbH for VME Retail Safari; an incentive tour taking in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Okinawa inclusive of sushi making, training on Japanese retail culture and tours to experience the vibrant nightlife in Tokyo and Okinawa.
Best Creative Planning was awarded to H.I.S International Travel Pte Ltd in Singapore for an incentive trip to Okinawa in 2019; a tour to reward 121 staff members from their offices in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Participants were immersed in Okinawan culture through performances and team building activities such as Shisa and Eisa drum performances, dragon boat trips and Japanese radio calisthenics. JTB Germany GmbH was awarded Best Community Contribution and Special Recognition was awarded to Fortis Events, New Zealand for its Hynds VIP Rugby World Cup 2019 Tour.
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The latest product updates
Nara Prefectural Convention Center, located in the heart of Nara City, was awarded the EXCELLENCE AWARD (Forestry Agency Director- General Award) under “Heart-warming Design” category of the 6th Japan Wood Design Award 2020. This award acknowledges outstanding wood products that contribute to the promotion of comfortable life, human health, and social prosperity.
Fukuoka Convention Center is expanding. Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B will be a 2-floor building with a 5000m2 exhibition hall, 2 meeting rooms, and 7 prep rooms, adding to the Fukuoka Convention Center complex, which is scheduled to be the main venue for the 2022 FINA World Aquatics Championships. Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B will open in Spring 2021.
Hakata International Exhibition & Conference Center is a new facility to be opened in April 2021, located near Hakata Station, the main rail station for Fukuoka city and a main terminus for all of Kyushu. The four-story building will have two conference rooms that can hold up to 2000 people and a variety of meeting rooms.
Hotel openings
W Osaka is scheduled to open in March 2021 on vibrant Midōsuji Boulevard in the heart of the city. W Osaka seamlessly blends Japan’s celebrated cultural heritage with bold contemporary designs in a rarefied milieu of playful chic and boundless luxury. Faunchon L’Hotel, Kyoto will also open in March 2021, offering guests an opportunity to sample the culinary brilliance associated with the Faunchon brand, synonymous around the world for the finest ingredients.
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