Event 24th International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry
Organiser Elite PCO
Venue Taipei International Convention Center (TICC)
Delegates 750
Date July 18-23
The brief
The six-day conference had a programme of 40 symposiums and lectures that attracted 750 organometallic chemistry professionals, 500 of whom were from abroad. The plenary speaker was 2005 Nobel Laureate Richard Schrock.
Challenges
Since more than half the delegates were from overseas, the organiser sent detailed transportation information in both Chinese and English beforehand so as to avoid any language difficulties with taxi drivers on arrival in Taipei. In a bid to keep costs down, the organiser also had six of its staff collect delegates from the airport over the first two days instead of arranging shuttle buses. Delegates were pleased by the personal welcome.
Vegetarian delegates were originally organised to sit at two dedicated tables due to the banquet-style servings. However, the delegates requested to sit with their friends and as a result, their eight-course dinner was portioned onto plates and served individually.
Execution
All delegates stayed at Howard International House Taipei. Shuttle buses ran between the hotel and TICC every day on a timetable. To keep delegates informed about the bus schedule, the information was frequently broadcast by staff as well as during conference announcements.
On the first day 10 buses took the delegates on a city tour and then to an evening banquet at the iconic Grand Hotel. Elite PCO took into consideration that not everyone would participate and organised three shuttle buses for those who opted out of the tour.
The organiser calculated the time all the buses might be stuck in traffic and in the end, the two groups arrived within minutes of each other, resulting in the banquet starting on schedule.
Comment
“A great thank you to the organisers for the wonderful conference,” says French delegate, Dr Pierre Braunstein. “The hospitality in Taipei was remarkable. We flew many miles to come here and we will certainly come again with the next opportunity.”