THE thrill of discovery, the satisfaction of clarity – these came to me in writing our Talking Point cover story, Rise of the Titans, this issue (p16).

When a local PCO unleashed a litany of complaints regarding the competition they present, I was prompted to understand why it was that professional association management companies such as MCI, Kellen and Kenes, had stormed into the regional market with such might in recent years. Their entry has forced local convention organisers to batten down the hatches and declare battle. Resistance has not been futile, but it does seem these companies are backed by a much larger store of munitions.

In a global economy short on talent, these companies are able to offer a breadth of solutions for organisations and associations which boggles the mind. Our article did not seek to unravel the mysteries of how to staff a company which could offer services from internal ROI and measurement tools, to external public relations and government-level advocacy.

However, understanding the range of their offerings is the basis for comprehending their involvement in business events and incentives.

They recommend events as the solution to many of their clients’ communication needs in dealing with different constituencies. As such, while these companies are devouring the MICE-market pie, they are also upsizing it.
Oddly, when setting out to understand these companies, I found their Asian representatives strangely reticent. Could it be they had cottoned on to a good thing they did not want to share?

Suspicions aside, it is amazing how such large companies have flown below the radar in the region in terms of how much business they could bring to the industry. Suppliers and competitors should embrace them, understand them, and rather than try to compete, find a way to partner them.

Also in this issue, savour a taste of creative, young entrepreneurship by reading about Ate Consulting in our Inspire Me section (p48). The Singapore agency has grown from 12 to 45 staff in just one-and-a-half years since adding its dedicated events unit.

Whether it is about auto-stereoscopic screens in Digital Life (p60), how to tap into the booming China hotel scene (p52) or discovering new treasures in our Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Macau destination reports, the theme throughout is to see the big picture. Those starting small can take heart knowing they can learn from companies such as these as micenet ASIA brings you their inspiring stories each issue.


 

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