(Scientific) Societies and their Congresses in Asia

Trends and challenges

Presented by

2 October 2013

Marcel Ewals, Director, Business Developmet

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ABOUT KENES

• Established in 1965

• Exclusively serving medical & scientific organisations

• 122 Long Term Clients; 24 receive AMC services

• 3,000 congresses in 104 cities; 115,000 attendees annually

• 18 offices worldwide with over 400 staff including Kenes Asia (35 staff): Bangkok, Singapore, New Delhi

• Kenes Asia now cooperates with more than 30 societies

How do societies operate in Asia

• Volunteer organizations

• Country members from the region (Federation)

• No permanent Secretariat

• Few lobbying/consulting functions

• Key function is Education

• Secondary function is networking and knowledge exchange

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Key historical influencers in the region..

Philippines

Australia

Japan

These countries have since post WWII been driving the region

Philippine drive was by infrastructure, and less research leadership (1950-1980’s)

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Today, most regions are developing..

The balance of research and convention infrastructure has balanced out in the last 15 years, with major research coming from all Asian countries

Asia’s scientific community growth is led by:

• More research• Growing middle

class• Access to medical

treatment• Better education• Sizeable

population• Increasing youth

But challenges remain..

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Volatility in events halts growth in Asia

• Asia’s diversity provides challenges• Industry support varies• Attendance levels go up and down• Audience quality depends on location• Scientific excellence based on local

expertise

• Assign to local Organizing Committee• Investment and professionalism differs

per host society• Local interests lead over regional

interest• Changing rules per event as there is no

central rule adaptation process, leading to price changes, experience influences etc.

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Key impacts that lead to such volatility

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In comparison, European Societies:

• Centralized and organised

• Location based on best results

• Locals are independent from success

• Created steady growth

• Transparency to all is key

• Funding for research, etc…

Meanwhile in Asia:

• Funding

– Money stays with LOC– Not enough funds are left for

Society to evolve– No membership value is

developed• Importance

– As good as your last event– New players can take over

So where is asia’s future

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The Road Map requirements

• Move “self interest” to society, not member

• Multi year strategic plan, rather than year-on-year

• Have core values as objective

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Conclusion

• Stability

• Consistency

• Transparency

• Centralization

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