What makes a successful conference and meeting? This is a tough question to answer as there is no set formula. But there are professionals who can smooth the way. Destination management companies specialise in the organisation and logistics of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
They offer a one-stop shop for solutions with their in-depth knowledge. Combined with their creativity and tailor-made solutions, destination management companies organise events to suit clients' needs.
Whether you are considering going it alone, or using these professionals, the golden rule is to plan ahead.
Clive Hammond, managing director of MICE organiser Liberty International Tourism Group, warned that some corporations didn't know how much work was involved in running an event themselves.
'Whether big or small, meetings and events absorb a lot of resources, so don't leave preparations too late. People don't necessarily have contacts with various basic suppliers such as hotels, transport companies and venues,' he said. 'Ideally, if you're going it alone, look at a time span of eight to nine months for the preparations. Also, be realistic with your budget. Generally, Hong Kong is expensive, but you get good quality.'
Accessibility to the venue is also vital. 'Hong Kong is a superb transportation hub. It's also a highly efficient international financial centre so it's great for business networking because everything works here - and fast,' he said.
Mr Hammond said the price of hotels and venues in Hong Kong was an indicator of the quality offered. Nevertheless, there was considerable flexibility when it came to the choice of a hotel, but in most cases clients had become more demanding in terms of food and beverage, and usually looked for something new and different, such as a gala dinner, he said.