Why Risk Management is Important | 他山之石：從八仙彩虹趴學風險管理

source: 天下雜誌

The concept of Color Event comes from Holi Festival in India, which celebrates the beginning of Spring. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. Traditionally, washable natural plant-derived colors such as turmeric, neem, dhak, kumkum were used; but water-based commercial pigments are increasingly used.

Festival of Colors - World's BIGGEST color party

Later on, in 2012, the first Color Run took place in USA and then started the global trend in the color events.

THE COLOR RUN™ - 2015 Shine Tour

When people enjoy the happiness and get wild in color powder, they may not know this kind of powder is inflammable. The worst of all is the planner does not know the risk. Dust explosion requires the conditions of the following five:

   1. A combustible dust

   2. The dust is suspended in the air at a sufficiently high concentration

   3. The dust cloud is confined (not always required)

   4. There is an oxidant (typically atmospheric oxygen)

   5. There is an ignition source

However, the risky point is the ignition can be:

   1. Electrostatic discharge

   2. Friction

   3. Arcing from machinery or other equipment;

   4. Hot surfaces, including e.g. overheated bearings

   5. Fire

Most event planners avoid the fire but the crowds, which cannot be eliminated, is the ignition! The unfortunate dust explosion of Taiwan Color Party teaches the worst lesson.

Risk management is a process designed to safeguard the various elements of a meeting / an event by minimizing the amount or severity of harmful events that may occur, according to the PCMA book – Professional Meeting Management. The importance speaks loud from the past experience yet many organizers still turn head around. It is not only the matter of human life, but also information, property, financial investment, organization image and professional reputation. To be a responsible event planner, start to review your risk management plan and start it now!

Step 1. Identify those elements or activities which could carry a risk.

Step 2. Identify the risks associated with each element or activity.

Step 3. Determine the possibility of occurrence of the risk and the severity of the consequences if the risk does happen.

Step 4: Risk Prioritization.

Step 5. Formulate, prepare and implement strategies to manage risks

Some common strategies used for risk management are:

1) Risk Avoidance: Avoid those elements and activities which could carry a risk.

2) Risk Retention: Accept some or all the consequences associated with a particular risk.

3) Risk Transfer: Transfer the risk to a third party, e.g. transferring the event security responsibility to a security agency.

4) Risk Reduction: Reduce the risk associated with a particular element or activity by developing an effective contingency action plan.

Step 6. Monitor the risks periodically

All in all, we should always prepare for the worst. In the tragedy of Taiwan Color Party, the lack of evacuation accessibility and immediate response increased the mass injury. While the solid risk management plan is done, can the real condition support?

There is no second chance to manage the risk, so Do it Right the First Time.

Shall you wanna learn more, here is the conference for you.
22^nd Anuual Risk Minds International  (7-11 December 2015, Amsterdam)

※ Reference

Wiki   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

Risk Management Plan for Events http://www.eventeducation.com/risk-management-events.php

COMPUTEX TAIPEI 今昔

source: BusinessWire

炎炎夏日一步步逼近，繼1月美國拉斯維加斯「國際消費電子大展 (Consumer Electronics Show, CES)」，以及3月西班牙巴塞隆納「世界行動通訊大會 (Mobile World Congress, MWC)」兩大資通訊界年度盛事後，亞洲最大、全球第二大的「台北國際電腦展 (COMPUTEX TAIPEI)」也將於2015年6月2日至6日登場，各家參展商無不摩拳擦掌，準備抓緊全球目光。

 source: LATIN POST

source: GSMARENA

COMPUTEX TAIPEI 於1981年首次展出，並於1984年正式升格國際級展覽，參展廠商立刻由30家增至145家。雖陸續擴大展覽場地，展位仍一位難求，且因未徹底區隔內外銷，部分廠商越界進行促銷兜售而損形象。1990年，主辦單位決定將內外銷分館展示，並限定國際館不對外開放，獲得國際買主支持，遂於1991年起，將內銷館獨立為另一展覽，由COMPUTEX 正式挑起外銷責任。

如果說80年代是全球資訊電腦相關展覽的戰國時期，90年代就是形成三強鼎立態勢的重要時期。在「市場地理區位考量」、「各國科技實力」、「產業聚落」等因素的催化下，世界三大資通訊展覽逐漸浮出檯面，分別為：電腦資訊科技發源地和美洲市場訊息交會點的「美國 Las Vegas COMDEX Fall 電腦展」、歐洲工業科技大國和歐洲市場訊息中間交會點的「德國漢諾威 CeBIT 電腦展」，以及全球資訊電子產業製造代工生產基地的展示場所「台灣 COMPUTEX TAIPEI 電腦展」。甚至讓該產業業者從90年代起，習慣於每年11月到美國 COMDEX 看趨勢，隔年3月到漢諾威 CeBIT 找應用，6月到台灣 COMPUTEX 買產品。

​

source: 2GB

2003年台灣爆發 SARS 疫情，一度傳出停辦的 COMPUTEX 最終決定延至9月舉辦，雖然廠商與媒體均欣然同意，但卻因時間點的改變，意外與上海 CeBIT Asia 進行對決。然因原A21展覽館、現世貿三館啟用，擴大參展廠商容納量，加上美國 COMDEX 逐步沒落、當年上海 CeBIT Asia 也大幅衰退，SARS 危機反成為 COMPUTEX 的轉機，使其規模正式爬升為世界第二。

而除了各國廠商相互較勁之外，「最佳產品獎 (Best Choice Award)」與「創新設計獎 (d&i Awards)」兩個大會獎項，亦是鎂光燈追逐的焦點。

​

Best Choice Award (BC Award) 是專為買家挑選優秀產品的官方評選活動。自2002年起，凡當年度參展廠商皆可提報 ICT 產品參選，以產品的 Functionality、Innovation、Market Potential 為評選重點，獲獎產品可免費於 COMPUTEX 展示，並享有展前記者會、與國際指標媒體合作專題報導等宣傳機會。

d&i Awards 自2008年創立，是為了鼓勵資通訊產品的創新發明，特邀請德國知名工業設計龍頭 iF（國際論壇設計公司）執行該活動，所有參賽產品皆經過專業的國際評審團隊進行評選。獲獎後的線上產品展示、獲獎產品專刊發行及海內外知名資通訊大展的巡迴展出等多樣化的宣傳方式則是該獎項最大特色，也是該獎項與其他國際獎項最大的不同處。

​​

source: COMPUTEX TAIPEI

長久以來，COMPUTEX 被業界期許扮演引領未來趨勢的角色，也是將絕妙創意轉變為創新產品的展覽。走過30多個年頭，今年將以智慧科技、行動運算、雲端商業、穿戴應用等四大領域進行展出，屆時將有1,700多家參展廠商參展（如宏碁、華碩、博通、台達電、福特、技嘉、英特爾、微軟、微星等），攤位達5,000多個，涵蓋資訊通訊技術的各個層面。在這波濤洶湧的產業洪流中，COMPUTEX Taipei 持續領著台灣立足全球。

※ 2015年台北國際電腦展：請點此看更多資訊

國際會議│辦活動│參展│商務參訪│獎旅
滿意度最高的亞洲籌辦單位 - 滙集國際 service@asiaconcentrate.com

Universal Gifts! What's Offensive? | 柯P啟示：各國送禮禁忌，你送對了嗎?

Learn from mistakes!

Just a few days ago, the Mayor of Taipei city, Ke Wen-Je, received the watch gaffe from the UK government minister, who didn't expect this gift represents a negative symbol in Chinese culture. Yet, why a gift with big meaning in one country can be offensive to the other? Culture difference plays a great role here. Let's learn something from this story.

photo credit: BBC News

While planning an international event, the give-away can be a disaster if the giver doesn't study on the participants in advance. To make it simple, we can avoid the taboos from below 3 aspects.

1. COLOR

GREEN is not as auspicious to Japan. Yet, in Australia, it is the key color to celebrate their St. Patrick Day.

BROWN is deemed as mourning for the death in Brazil. 

YELLOW is offensive to Syria and Pakistan.

BLUE is preferred in Egypt and Belgium. Yet, it is the color of love in Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Syria and Iraq.

For some political or historical reasons, colors can be sensitive in some countries.

DARK GREEN is the Nazi uniform color so not a commonly-accepted color in France and Belgium.

2. NUMBER

13 is a figure of danger to Western Catholics. The well-known "Black Friday", as the 13th on Friday, can make some people feel a constant state of anxiety.

4 means bitter and death for Chinese and Japanese because of its pronunciation similar to death. Yet, in Malaysia, people treat it as a boss sitting pose.

3. FLOWER

WHITE LILY is the symbol of death or ill omen in British countries. Yet, to Romans, it is a symbol of beauty and hope, and Persian people think it is the expression of innocence and virginity.

TULIPS in Turkey is seen as a symbol of love, but the Germans do not think that it is the feelings of flowers.

ORCHID is a symbol of South-East Asia, while in Poland that is a passion flower

LOTUS is rated high in China, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Egypt and other countries, but in Japan it is regarded as a symbol of the ominous, not used in a memorial ceremony.

CHRYSANTHEMUM is Japan's royal family dedicated flowers but, in Spain, Italy and Latin American, is considered "spent demon" only used in the cemetery.

Although the taboos varies with time and individuals, there is something in common by countries and religions.

Don't give any presents in figure, containing alcohol, or women to Islamic.

Presents in odd numbers and fine package are preferred by Americans.

Give economic but meaningful presents to British and the receivers would open it right away.

Crane means dummies to French and Walnuts is the symbol of bad luck. Plus don't strap flowers as gifts to them.

Giving money to Russian means humiliation.

Japanese value the gifts as it shows their respect to others so remember to bring gifts every meet-ups. Don't open in front of the givers. Comb is not a good option.

No gift to Arabic for the first meeting because it is deemed as bribe.

In Latin America, Scissors means the end of friendship and Handkerchief is considered sadness.

Don't give clocks, shoes or umbrellas to Chinese as they are associated with death and separation.

It is not appropriate to take food as gift in Holland.

Next time, when you prepare give-away for an event, be sure you study your attendance so you don't make any joke like the story.

Shall you know any offensive gifts, share with us!!

How to find the right destination? | 如何找到適合的會議地點?

source: pinterest

Every experienced event planner knows the importance of site selection but when it comes to destination, it usually goes emotional of the decision makers that event planners, especially conference organizers, put a lot of effort on getting the decision makers back to the reality. Therefore, as a professional organizer, what should we prepare and what the decision should be award of when the decision comes in place?

1. The Objective of the meeting

Always keep the OBJECTIVE in mind. If this meeting comes along with incentive purpose, an ocean-side resort is just right for your attendees to bring up their family. If the meeting is quite serious for many countries flew in, a busy international airport is requires for the attendees. So here are several common objectives of international gathering and its best match.

- Incentive Meeting : resort at beach side; 5-star hotel in an authentic city

- Academic Conference : Multi-functional convention center in an easy-get-around city

- Professional Meeting : hotel near an international airport with frequent carriers

2. The Background of all attendee

To understand your attendee will help not only the decision on destination but also every step in plan. Senior attendees will appreciate short journey while young sales force, for example, may want to go far. It is why we need to understand who are your guests. 

3. The History of past meetings

Knowing where has been to is also a critical point that a fresh destination will motivate the attendance.

4. Clarify the Requirements

This point should be done after the initial inquiry. A RFP (request for proposal) will help. However, it usually changes when the plan becomes more specific. So, to clarify the requirements every time is suggested when every stakeholder gathers. The requirements may conclude the above and below but the key is to make sure everyone in the room is on the same page and all criteria is specific before the discussion goes further.

5. Accessibility

This speaks not only geographically but also politically - the VISA. Some countries are sensitive in this issue. Therefore, the easy accessibility to the destination for all attendees can only benefit when the VISA is easy to get.

6. Venue & Accommodation

When you pick up about 2-3 destination options, a venue detail should come through at the same time. Some destinations are popular for tourists but do not offer the right venue for your group. The same manner applies to Accommodation.

7. Availability

Every destination has its peak time so it is basic to check its availability on both venue & hotels.

8. Value of Money

Cost is the essential factor of a decision. Budget control is one task of a PCO so  always keep track on the budget line and evaluate every single penny is worthy of value. The past cases for clients to compare will help them to understand where their money pays to. 

A CVB (Convention and Visitor Bureaus) is another approach to make the meeting more valuable. Most CVB provides subsidy to inbound events when group size is big. So never forget to contact the local CVB and ask for the best treat from their monetary or other assistance. 

After all the information collected, remember to prepare the comparison of your options (suggested in Table or Figure). Then, good luck with your presentation!

After your destination is confirmed, your venue should be decided soon. Yet, Venue Selection is another phrase to consider. Let's see the tips in the next post!

※ Reference

10 Considerations for Selecting the Perfect Destination for Your Meeting

How to Find the Perfect Destination and Venue for Your Next Event

Site Selection: 7 Key Tips for Finding the Right Destination and Venue

Should we provide WiFi for free in an event? | WiFi應該免費提供嗎?

Wi-Fi: The Lifeblood of Events – Should It Be Free to Attendees? 
By © 2012 Corbin Ball Associates

As the use of mobile event apps continues to explode, there is an increasing demand by attendees to have easy-access, barrier-free and, hopefully, cost-free Wi-Fi in the meeting space and in sleeping rooms. Consider these statistics:

• Free in-room Internet access ranked as the most desired guest-room amenity. -- Synovate survey, 2011, 6,300 people, 10 countries
• 47 percent of respondents said a hotel must cater to their technology needs before they book it, with wireless  access a top priority. -- Synovate survey, 2011, 6,300 people, 10 countries
• Internet access is at the top of things most guests care about hotels (including luxury, upscale, mid-scale full-service, economy/budget, and extended stay properties) -- J.D. Powers Survey, 201
• Free Wi-Fi affects the choice of venue (64% yes; 31% maybe/depends on other factors as well; 5% no) – InStat survey, September 2010

Increasingly, meeting attendees are carrying around one or more wireless internet-enabled devices. They are business travelers and expect to check email, use social networks (40% of all tweets are mobile), and wish to take advantage of a wide range of mobile meeting and travel apps. For international attendees, the cost of roaming fees is often prohibitively expensive. Wi-Fi is their lifeline to stay connected. 

With this growing need and demand by attendees, planners are pressing venues for free event Wi-Fi and are making this a key criterion for venue selection. Associations such as ABPCO (Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) have a country-wide initiative to promote free basic conference Wi-Fi for attendees (see 

www.theconferencecloud.co.uk for details). 

The Challenges:

There are many issues involved:

• 60% of travelers in the US, Europe and Australia indicate they already have had a poor hotel downloading experience because the system was slow. -- Ttnooz, Nov. 2011
• Many facilities are unable to keep up with the demand. The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (the world’s largest technology show) asked attendees to turn off their phones and Wi-Fi to enable access for the keynote presenters.
• The demand for broadband is exploding for many events. For example, 5,000 attendees consumed one terabyte (one thousand billion bytes) of data via Wi-Fi in four days at the London Frieze Art Fair, Oct. 2011. This is one example of many.
• 90% of meeting professionals have smartphones and/or iPads/tablet computers and 62% use their apps constantly throughout the day (M&C Research Survey, December 2011).
• A November 2011 white paper by iBahn, a major hotel internet provider, notes that 25% of devices on their network are iPads. These video streaming and media consumption devices use 400% more data that the average iPhone,
• 25 million iPads have been sold as of June 2011 (UnwiredView) and an amazing 5 million Wi-Fi only Amazon Kindle Fire tablets are estimated to have been sold in the last three months of 2011(J.P. Morgan, December 2011).
• This explosion of iPad and other tablet computer is driving bandwidth requirements to what is felt by some hotels to be unsustainable levels. To quote David Garrison, iBahn CEO in the November 2011: “The iPad is the final nail in the ‘all internet is free’ coffin.”
• There is a big discrepancy between event organizers and venue managers on whether attendees should receive free Wi-Fi: 90% off organizers say yes while only 48% of facility managers replied favorably (IAEE Survey, July 2011).
• 64% of venue managers and CVB stakeholders feel that show managers have unrealistic expectations when it comes to what they want and are willing to pay for regarding event Wi-Fi (Red 7 Media, Summer 2011).

Some solutions:

The facts are that the Wi-Fi at many venues is not satisfactory (it sucks!) and with increasing bandwidth requirements things are getting worse. What can or should be done?

Here are some recommendations:

• Meeting venues need to plan on high double-digit annual growth in Wi-Fi bandwidth requirements at least for the next five years. The good news is technically this is completely feasible. According to Ian Bull, Head of Sales Business Development for the Wireless Technology Group for Cisco, there is “significant growth potential for Wi-Fi using micro cells and Wi-Fi Hotspot 2.0 technology. Even very large venues with thousands of simultaneous users can be managed in a way that good quality wireless internet signal can be provided.”
• Venues must step up to the plate and build the infrastructure for this growth. This will increasingly be the deciding factor in venue selection.
•   Meeting venues should provide detailed assistance to meeting planners to help them determine the Wi-Fi and internet requirements. It is not enough to reply “yes we can provide Wi-Fi.” Many questions need to be asked, such as: Wireless internet for how many people simultaneously? On what devices? For what apps? In what locations? How much bandwidth is needed? Venues must know their capabilities and limitations well and communicate them to clients.
•   Meeting planners also must educate themselves as well to the specific needs of their attendees, their expectations, their internet requirements, and must be very clear to venues about what they expect in detailed requests for proposal.

Dealing with Costs:

A major challenge is cost. Meeting venues are for-profit entities and the demand for internet services is growing exponentially. How can these costs be offset or limited?

Here is my view:

• Venues should provide basic, mobile-friendly Wi-Fi internet access (512kb/s) throughout the entire facility (sleeping rooms/lobby/meeting rooms/exhibit hall) for free without the need for extensive log-in procedures. 512kb/s is fast enough to check email, tweet, and do some basic web browsing but not fast enough to stream HD video, download audio files, etc.
•  Provide a reasonable rate “premium service” for attendees who desire more speed.
•  Charge reasonable rates for specialized services: dedicated bandwidth, dedicated IP address, VPNs, specialized exhibit services, etc. As an example, the Las Vegas Convention Center (one of the largest in the world) in November 2011, launched their internet service plan: free for basic service, $13/day for premium service, and $100 for exhibitors.
• Another option to offset costs is for meeting planners to solicit internet sponsorship. Internet access and mobile apps have many opportunities for splash page or banner ad sponsors. These page views are completely trackable and can provide great visibility to attendees using a much desired service.
• With the increase in smart phones and tablets, cyber-cafes are going the way of the banks of pay phones. Divert the sponsorship funds and other monies spent on these services to help offset the cost of attendee internet access.
• Venues should also look for sponsors.  Meeting attendees spend money at nearby establishments. Many of these businesses would likely be willing to pay for advertising space on conference Wi-Fi services to gain visibility.
• Planners, exhibitors and attendees should expect to pay for premium internet services. Venues are for-profit entities and have every right to charge to cover costs at the minimum.  However, planners and attendees should not be gouged with exorbitant fees.  Hotels, convention centers and other venues should not consider internet services a major profit center any more that they consider providing lights and water for attendees and guests – Wi-Fi has become an expected utility.
• The price gouging employed by a number of upper mid-scale and luxury hotel properties (i.e. US$9.95/day/each device) must stop! Planners and hotel guests commonly will be making venue decisions based on fair policies for internet access.

Wi-Fi challenges will likely get worse before they get better. The increasing demand will exceed the supply as venues struggle to upgrade their internet infrastructure. It will be incumbent on all venues to gear up for these increased bandwidth demands. It will also be important for planners, exhibitors, attendees and venues to educate themselves on the issues and help each other find the optimum way for providing Wi-Fi for events. As Wi-Fi increasingly becomes the communication life-blood of events, we will all need to work toward optimal solutions.

origin from ICCA Web, Volume 37 - January 2012

International Conference in the 3C world | 國際會議要準備什麼3C設備呢?

We always tell our team to prepare a conference from the aspect of speakers, delegates and, of course, the host organization. The reason is as simple as staying with the demand. In this 3C world, an international conference demands more attention on this segment.

Prepare for the HOST party

A PCO stands with the Host party from the beginning so the demands seem clear from each talk. Yet, it may be the case if it is the first time to the host. The experience and advice from the PCO is now valuable to help them prepare at the secretariat. A wireless printer with good connect to every laptop on site is helpful. At least 2 laptops at the secretariat with the access to the internet are basic to run the conference smoothly. Don’t forget to bring back-up files in the USB in case you lost internet connection to the drive. If there is no budget for a photographer, 2 cameras and its spare battery must be prepared for record purpose. As walkie-talkie has been replaced by mobile phones for the team communication, the mobile chargers or power bank are investable for the staff.

    

source: Wifi Printer -  Laptop

    

source: Digital Camera - Power Bank

Prepare for the SPEAKERS

A projector is necessary without saying but it will be thoughtful to prepare a spare one for incidents while a speech is also completed with microphones, audios, and pointers. Internet access is also important but depends on speakers. A standby DVD player can give visual “aids” while needed.

Although advance collection on every speech is recommended, some speakers can change their material at the last minute and request to use his/her own laptop. Therefore, send a tech savvier to stands by and prepare for the different electronic current.

     

source: Projector - Pointers

Prepare for the Raining Day

Always plan a PLAN B. When we suggest preparing everything in 2 sets, it is not for quantity discount, rather all these are to prepare for any surprise, especially 3C equipment not under control all the time. Therefore, a technician to support on site would be very thoughtful.

So, next time when you prepare an event, remember to go through your facilities before opening!



在現在會議中不可或缺的3C產品，有時也讓人頭痛萬分。一場會議最基本的電子設備有：麥克風、音響、投影機、電腦等，方便演講者進行簡報；更貼心的會準備網路、印表機、充電器等來滿足講者及與會者的臨時需求；而相機則是為了記錄會議實況。

這些便利的3C設備最讓人頭痛的就在於突發狀況！麥克風沒電是最常見也最容易解決的，但如果遇到投影機與電腦不合，畫面就是怎樣都送不出去，如果沒有專業的技術人員在場，可能就會影響會議的進行。因此，除了一定要提前測試並設定好之外，也建議多準備一組備用設備，以備不時之需。



國際會議要開始籌畫了嗎？沒有頭緒、找不到人做，歡迎聯絡滙集國際。

※ Reference
Common Technical Problems with International Events

服務業耀眼新星—會展產業人才認證出爐 (轉)

在政府推廣會展產業4年計畫下，第一屆「會展人才認證考試」於10月底登場，而南港展覽館也將於明年3月啟用，軟硬體同步到位，可望使台灣的會展產業向前邁進一大步。

撰文 / 陳鈺婷

隨著國內產業結構轉型升級，服務業已成為經濟成長的核心產業，其中，會議展覽產業（MICE，Meeting、Incentive、Conference、Exhibition）因具有「高附加價值」、「高成長潛力」、「高創新效益」，且創造的就業機會大、產業關聯大，因此被行政院列入12項重要新興服務產業。

會展產業「外部經濟效益」驚人

經濟部國貿局副局長徐純芳以有力的數據，說明會議展覽產業的發展潛力，「若一個觀光客可以帶來1塊錢的消費力，則會議展覽產業可帶來8塊錢的『外部經濟效應』。」

會議展覽產業的經濟效益，不僅止於會議展覽本身，周圍相關產業也都會受惠。在外地參加會議，除了開會，還有各種「吃喝玩樂」的活動，周邊的餐飲、觀光、飯店、交通等規劃都很重要。

明年3月，南港展覽館正式啟用後，國內的會展場地擴增一倍，行政院日前宣布將編列222億元，建設會展產業的硬體設備，包括將在南北兩地興建新展館，並且編列5億8500萬元於行銷工作上。

軟體部分，徐純芳表示，希望以「產業聚落」方式，加強會展業者的整合。另外在人才培育方面，也有重大突破，今年10月底，由外貿協會舉辦第一屆的會議展覽服務業人才認證考試。

會展產業的未來在亞洲

來自德國的國際展覽業協會（UFI）會長Jochen Witt，9月底在台北舉行的「亞洲會展產業領袖論壇」中指出，「MICE產業的發展，絕對是跟著市場跑的，」而「MICE產業的動力，來自經濟成長。」

每年全球展覽超過3萬個，按照規模等級來區分，第一級是全世界買家非來不可的超大型展覽；第二級為鄰近國家買家因地利之便前來參觀的區域性展覽；第三級為吸引本國買家的國內型展覽。

這幾年，第二級區域型的展覽被嚴重擠壓，原因在於第一級展覽的「集客力」，以及第三級展覽的數量增加。

Witt分析，雖然會展產業起自歐洲，但歐洲市場已呈飽和狀態，迫使會展產業向外尋找機會，而亞洲新興市場就是首選目標。他強調，亞洲無疑是會展產業成長幅度最大的地區，其中又以中國的成長最快。

根據研究統計，台灣的會展空間容納量，占亞洲第八位，但出租空間的排名為亞洲第六位；Witt表示，「顯見台灣確實需求更高的會展空間，很有發展潛力。」

培養會展人才 刻不容緩

廣義而言，「會展人才」不是只有籌辦會議和展覽的人才，還包括開會之外各種「吃喝玩樂」活動。因此，會展人才的認證考試，也開放給觀光、餐飲、旅館、媒體、公關、會場布置、導遊等從業人員報考。

外貿協會培訓中心主任陳谷海表示，會展產業是實務導向的行業，傳統會展產業人才培育以「師徒制」為主，土法煉鋼，缺乏專業訓練。

陳谷海表示，產業升級的同時，必須同步提升從業人員素質；通過認證取得證書，有助於強化專業競爭力，增加工作機會，拓展業界人脈。

這項考試為「證書制」，而非「證照制」，認證程序包括資格審查、考試、發展證書等三階段；為鼓勵證書持有者終身學習，證書採更新回流制，3年期滿後必須再更新。

國際化程度猶待加強

台灣會展產業發展20餘年，陳谷海表示，日本、新加坡、香港等國，因服務業發展早，會展產業較台灣來得成熟；但和其他亞洲國家相比，台灣會展產業還是具有一定水準。

會展產業的相關從業人員，不在少數；現在的問題不是沒有人，而是人才是否夠合格（qualified）？

陳谷海坦言，國內會展人才的「國際化」還有待加強，這也是台灣發展會展產業的隱憂。雖然目前的認證考試由經濟部商業司主辦，但他表示，未來希望能加強與國際認證制度的接軌，並鼓勵國內專業人士取得國際性會展專業認證，讓優秀的台灣人才真正走向國際。

全文轉貼自Career：http://media.career.com.tw/hot/hot_main.asp?CA_NO=379p032&INO=167