THE two-day BE @ Penang 2020 online conference ended today with many thought-provoking topics discussed that would be certainly helpful to assist attendees in their process of rejuvenation within the tourism and business events industry.
The conference, organised by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), also gave deeper insights on the use of technology and the future of association meetings and incentive travel. It was held virtually for the first time in its fifth edition.
Headlining this year’s conference was Prof Eddy Obeng, a thought leader and a British educator who is recognised for his success in new world management.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said he hoped industry partners and other relevant industry players would have gained useful perspectives and ideas from the conference and continue to keep up the rejuvenation momentum.
“You will now be activated and be stimulated to hyperdrive your recovery. You have heard from Prof Obeng to face reality and act quick and creatively. The new world would not wait for those who hesitate or refuse to move with the demand of the new economy,” Ashwin said in his parting message.
“You have heard time and time again about the importance of digitalisation and how we can adopt technology by collaborating with partners.
“Do not reinvent, just collaborate with tech providers. In order for us to be equipped with this new normal, we must reskill ourselves.”
Leaderonomics founder and CEO Roshan Thiran shared with the participants why it was crucial for reskilling when resources are tight and businesses are in survival mode.
He spoke on the need to change although most people dislike change.
Quoting a Leaderonomics saying, he said: “Transformation is not natural. We have to work at it and work together with our people to enable them to transform too.
“It’s hard work and you need to take the lead and own the change.
“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind.
“To the fearful, it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful, it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident, it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
“As leaders, we need to lead our people and enable them to be confident in transformation,” he said.
There were also two exciting sessions.
One was on the topic, ‘Learning Curve: Business Opportunities and Possibilities That Come From Collaboration’. The panellists were Ashwin, Hiromi Murayama and Jason Yeh with Keiko Nishimoto as the moderator.
The other was on the topic, ‘Get Real with Technology: Making Technology Work to Stimulate Business in the New Normal.’ It was moderated by Mona Manap and the panellists were Eric Ho, Rahul Bharadwaj, Tony Yeoh and Yusno Yunos.
Later, Karen Yue spoke on “Reinvention and Creativity: Piquing domestic travel desire in tiny Singapore’.
Just like the first day, the conference was not all just talk.
To further enhance the online experience for the participants, there were special sessions by PCEB partners, namely forest bathing by The Habitat Penang Hill yesterday, and a spice workshop by Tropical Spice Garden today.
To round up the conference, Penang’s Esther Geh, an anaesthesiologist turned full-time artist, conducted an art workshop, showing how to paint a colourwater wreath step by step.
At the end of her session, she encouraged the participants to enjoy painting and not put any pressure upon themselves.
“Be creative and do something completely different,” she said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian