Slide presentation of the 2010 Congress relocation of ASPIRE (1,150 delegates) from Bangkok to Pattaya in 4 days. A Crisis Management success story.

1. Crisis management case study
ASPIRE 2010 – Bangkok, Thailand
Presented by
Marcel Ewals, Director Business Development Asia
3 October 2013

2. Overview
•
Kenes Asia was a “new company” supported by a team of
veteran organisers from Asia.
•
ASPIRE was the first congress for Kenes Asia - April 9-10, 2010
•
It was an astounding success
• the exhibition grew to 1,200sqm net (12,000 sqf net)
• Delegates were increased from average 600 to 1,150
• Location was downtown Bangkok at the brand new
Bangkok Convention Centre
2

3. DO NOT
CONFUSE
WITH
TAIWAN
3

4. This is Thailand
4

5. Two political rivals……
5

6. March 8 – layout of Bangkok
Convention
Centre
6

7. 2008 Occupation of Suvranabumi Airport (BKK)
This was the
significant action 2
years earlier by the the
Opposition that
blocked the airport and
halted many
economical pipelines
as such. Occupying
an airports was since
than deemed and “act
of terrorism”
7

8. Red shirts – occupy streets Downtown and Gov House– March 13
Convention
Centre
By moving into the key
shopping district it affected
all Bangkokians and every
day life, many offices and
tourists. It was a “party”
environment at this stage.
8

9. Protesters are peacefully camping downtown – week 6
Major shopping centers
and key offices cannot
open as protesters
camp outside.
The Convention center
cannot be accessed by
car.
Demonstration can
disburse any time.
9

10. Our options: What were our decision steps? April 3
At this stage, all was quiet, and
we expected the demonstrators to
disburse any moment. We chose
to move in case they did not – it
was 5 days before opening.
10

11. We organized to key teams:
Monday: T - 4
11

12. April 8 Thai Prime minister declares “state of Emergency:
• It’s T – 1 (day before
Opening)
• Delegates are arriving and
being transported to
Pattaya
• Widespread rumors about
what will happen next
• Then, pressure mounts as
PM declared “State of
Emergency” in Bangkok
• We are now in Pattaya City

13. Some PR relief – Kyrgyzstan Riots take headlines
• World media
shifts attention to
Eastern Europe.
• As Thailand is
peaceful, the
news moves on.
• More people
commit to attend.

14. We open….
14

15. T + 1 To everyone’s surprise, Police closes the zone
Clashes occur, and international media makes it
world news!
15

16. The demonstrations turn extremely violent after
Military steps in and barricades are mounted.
17

17. Clashes grow violent in Bangkok starting the last day
• Delegates departed
safely to the airport
• No one came near
any conflict area
• Police escorts were
provided for added
safety feeling
Clash area

18. 19

19. Key lessons applied..

20. Decision making process
21

21. Decision time versus risk increase
Finish
Time
risk
start
22

22. Communication is key to everyone
23

23. Play to come out on top
• Its not just about
reducing risk, its also
about finding the
opportunity

24. Primary objective:
• Continuation is most often
the most cost effective
solution
• postponement is
expensive.
• Cancellation limits liability
at the go/no-go date
25

25. And then, 2 weeks later…..
And Volcano in Iceland disrupted Air Traffic in
Europe, staling 9000 delegates in Vienna from
going home… but that is another story.
26

26. 27

27. Full story is on www.kenes.com
search: “how to move a congress in 4 days”
mewals@kenes.com
28