Event 2010 International Small Business Congress, Taiwan
Venue Taipei International Convention Centre
Organiser National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Taiwan
Attendees 800 delegates
Date October 4-7, 2010
The brief
The International Small Business Congress (ISBC) brings together policy-makers and practitioners from the small- and medium-sized business sectors, to exchange views about business problems, and policies and programmes to overcome them. ISBC has been held annually since 1974. Taiwan, one of the event founders, hosted the event twice before in 1985 and 1997.
Challenges
The global financial crisis disrupted plans for the event, with many foreign delegates choosing not to attend. Organisers realised they needed to attract more delegates and so offered a theme of education and inspiration that addressed current market challenges. After consulting with world experts they chose: Stride across the Uncertain Age to New Opportunity and New Future. Ultimately, the event drew 800 delegates from 60 countries.
Christine Tai, deputy secretary general of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises enterprises says this success was due to the selection of such a relevant theme.
Execution
Prior to the conference, delegates were taken on an experiential trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city where they attended technical tours, met with local SMEs and learned about the local investment environment.
More than 100 staff from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises helped plan the event. The gala night was the highlight with street performers and jazz bands. Airport pick-ups were arranged for delegates who were travelling to Kaohsiung for the pre-conference event and five social events were organised at various venues in the two cities (Taipei and Kaohsiung).
Comment
Stanley Au, chairman of Delta Asia Financial Group, says: “I went to Kaohsiung for the first two days and then came back to Taipei. We travelled by high-speed rail and I was impressed with the convenient public transport system. The programmes were well put together, offering a mixture of theory and best practice, which I found to be both educational and inspiring.”