Face-to-Face Conference vs Video Conference

An article appeared in today's Straits Times highlighting the growing trend of companies resorting to videoconferencing instead of organising/attending face-to-face meetings. The article featured a variety of videoconferencing services that are available in Singapore. It also quoted research firm Gartner's prediction that high-definition video conferencing solutions would replace some 2.1 million airline seats (each year) by 2012.

As much as I believe in the use of technology to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of doing business, I cannot ignore the fact that in the area of business relationships and bonds with clients, face-to-face meetings cannot be replaced. The opportunities for such meetings often arise from attending conferences, conventions and tradeshows - all of which are face-to-face platforms. Personally, I find it a real challenge to build trust in a business relationship with someone I only am able to see via a computer/tv monitor. Maybe I am dinosaur-ish in my approach, but nothing beats a handshake, the physical exchange of business cards and even a pat on the shoulder, when trying to establish and business a business relationship.

Whilst videoconference solutions offer cost effective alternatives to face-to-face meetings, they do not take into account the intangible benefits that face-to-face meetings provide. So take heart all you M.I.C.E. practitioners - conferences, meetings, conventions and tradeshows will continue to bring strong benefits to the corporate world.......we live to fight another day!

Economic impact of M.I.C.E. - the other way round

The past couple of months have seen a tremendous change in the global economic landscape. The unimaginable has become reality. Even as I pen this entry, governments of various countries - 1st world to 3rd world - are scrambling to protect the financial assets of their citizens. What does this mean for the M.I.C.E. industry?


We often talk about the economic impacts the M.I.C.E. industry has on a city/country. In fact this relationship is one of the first few things one learns about the M.I.C.E. industry. The common terms used include: catalyst, investment, place/destination marketing, repeat visitors, length-of-stay, higher yields.......and the list goes on. These are all very valid reasons why state and national governments will continue to place emphasis on promoting the M.I.C.E. industry. It has a very strategic role to play.


There is, however, a dark side to this and we are beginning to walk under this dark side. As much as M.I.C.E. brings economic benefits to a destination, an economic downturn tends to put the breaks on M.I.C.E. activities. I have already had first hand experience with this. A conference I was supposed to attend (next week) has been postponed to 2009. I expect to see a few more similar casualties over the coming months or at least until the dust from the current financial turmoil settles.


There are no compact or pre-packed solutions to this. My personal take on this is that M.I.C.E. event organisers will need to dig in and work hard to convince stakeholders, corporate sponsors and attendees to not only continue to support such events but invest more as well. M.I.C.E. events offer one of the best platforms to reach targetted audiences - a great way to effectively spend marketing dollars.


Ben Cassim
Temasek Polytechnic

"application101" - why?

Before I start getting into the meat and bones of the M.I.C.E. subject, I have this need to explain my choice of the url, "application101". In my own metasphere, "application101" represents the main reason for this blog - to discuss, illustrate, explain, review......how M.I.C.E. theory is reflected in actual industry practices and real-world events - the "101" portion refering to this being just the starter kit. And I am hoping to have comments/contributions from people representing a variety of segments of the industry - this will help build up the body of knowledge for M.I.C.E. in our local context. At some stage, we can perhaps then move on to "applications201"........or maybe not!

Bringing reality to theory

This is a new adventure that I am embarking on. My hope is that this blog will become a conduit for the exchange of insights, industry best practices, situational experiences and learning on all things that pertain to the M.I.C.E. industry. This is, perhaps, a tall order to meet but I realise that there must always be a starting point. Therein lies the adventure for me. This is a starting point as far as I am concerned. I do not know where this journey will take me and all those who actively contribute to this blog, but I hope that this journey will never reach an ending point.

As one of my main concerns is that this blog will provide snippets of relevant and useful information to students learning about the M.I.C.E. industry, I do ask that you list your name and the organisation you represent each time you add comments to this blog.

I look forward to active participation from both students and members of the industry. While we each play small parts everytime a contribution is made, the sum of the parts carries great value.

Ben Cassim
Temasek Poly