Event Sibos 2009
Venue Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)
Organisers Swift, Jack Morton Worldwide, MCI Group
Delegates 5,782
Date September 14-17




The brief
Sibos is an annual financial-sector conference that rotates between locations in North America, Europe and Asia. The host destination must be able to put on a world-class conference, have relevance to the financial community and provide a variety of off-site venues for exhibitors’ after-hours networking events.

Challenges
Hong Kong was hit by a typhoon on the afternoon of the first day. This meant transport was prolonged, publication of the daily news was delayed and some parties were cancelled. “We formed a crisis management plan with Swift, HKCEC and MCI Group, which went into place as soon as the alarm was raised,” says David Zolkwer, director of Jack Morton.

Kimberly Jeker, key account director, MCI, says: “Information on the situation was transmitted to delegates’ hotels and then quickly distributed.”

The financial sector has been in turmoil throughout 2009 and many exhibitors were unsure whether to proceed with their evening networking functions, and if they did, what the likely attendance would be. This led to a number of last-minute bookings and venue changes, all of which are usually secured 18 months in advance.

Execution
“Hong Kong is known as a financial destination but it is also a compact city, which is important from an operations and event perspective,” says Panos Tzivanidis, head of events and Sibos operations for Swift.

Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong provided support in the lead-up to, and during, the event. The conference programme and exhibition was organised by Jack Morton, while MCI coordinated all off-site activities including transportation, logistics and off-site events. The conference included plenary sessions, workshops, labs and debates. There was also a large exhibition with a number of networking events held a  the booths.

Off-site functions were hosted by exhibitors including HSBC, BNY Mellon, Morgan Stanley, Citi and Sungard at Adrenalin at Happy Valley Racecourse; G Bar,H-One and Harlan’s at IFC Mall. Other venues used during Sibos included the Residence, Grand Ballroom, Grissini, Salons and Pool house at Grand Hyatt; Repulse Bay Beach; Watermark;the promenade of East Tsim Sha Tsui; Helena May and the China Club, among others.

Comment
“Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong organised special immigration channels for delegates at Hong Kong International Airport as well as staffing a city information counter at HKCEC for the duration of the event,” says Tzivanidis. “In both cases, they are only the second city to provide this in Sibos history.

Zolkwer adds: “The HKCEC staff sustained their enthusiasm from orientation to execution. They integrated very well into our team and ensured everything was handled professionally.”