The secret behind Taiwan’s mega events ecosystem

Mega-events demand the highest quality from the host city—it takes military precision to host thousands of people and give them an experience they won’t forget.

Beyond the planning efforts on the part of the event manager, the host city can pitch in to enhance the experience for both the planner and the delegates through anticipating their every need: from promotion to infrastructure improvements.

In the spirit of the Olympics, which requires its host city to refresh and build new facilities to accommodate the sheer volume of athletes and demands of the event, the best cities are always improving their MICE ecosystem. Here, we shine a spotlight on Taiwan and how Taiwan's local governments and communities have contributed to the success of renowned mega events:

Summer Universiade: Local promotions

Drumming up excitement and creating anticipation works in the favour of events as more interest and demand rises, especially in the host city. For the inbound meeting planner, the added attention drives even more success through local attendance.

Working through the city and with local stakeholders, promotions for mega events in Taiwan have been known to be held up to 365 before the event itself. For the Taipei 2017 Summer Universiade, a sporting event which sees 12,000 athletes from around the region attend, Taiwan MICE authorities gave a supporting hand through “count-down” events held consistently in the lead-up to the actual event period.

There was even a 20-day special event which featured runway shows, celebrity models and a live stream on Facebook. In all, there were 12 countdown events, from movie nights, pop-up street dancing to carnivals, held in anticipation of the Universiade.

Taiwan International Balloon Festival: Bring in the suits

Build on your mega event by creating opportunities for corporate travel itineraries and international meetings. The combination of two activities will create an unbeatable buzz around the event and for your delegates.

MEET TAIWAN has introduced a corporate programme at the annual Taiwan International Balloon Festival, a fun and leisure driven festival that sees dozens of hot air balloons take to the skies each morning and night from June to August.

The Balloon Festival is its 7^th edition in 2017 and has already welcomed 1m visitors to the Luye Gaotai area, near Taitung. Delegates can take a ride on their hot air balloons of their choice which includes interesting shapes such as lobsters, seahorses, footballs, frogs, toadstools and Star War’s Darth Vader.

By building itineraries around the night glow concerts—an awesome spectacle which has the hot-air balloons “dancing” in sync to music with an accompanying light show—planners can create an adrenaline-filled crescendo to corporate meetings. 

World Flora Exposition: Pre-event infrastructure

For the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition,  the city’s Mayor Lin petitioned the government for funds to build new walkways and an East exit for Hou Li station, where crowds going to the expo are expected to disembark. With 37million NTD (USD$1.2million) in investments, the Huama walkway and sky walkway will be constructed to carry an expected 200,000 people to the Flora expo.

The city government is adding parking spaces and new transit routes to allow for smooth traffic, reduced transit times and even, further its green agenda. Lower emissions are expected: the connective bicycle lanes and walkways is expected to encourage visitors to arrive by walking or cycling.

For more information, visit meettaiwan.com