Kreston ProWorks’ Post

As Hong Kong prides itself as the "City of Events," the MICE industry plays a crucial role in driving the economy and promoting business opportunities. However, the environmental impact of organizing these events is hard to ignore. Despite the urgency of mitigating the damage to the environment, the complexity behind organizing MICE event is making it difficult for radical change to happen. Our esteemed speakers from Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Macau Fair & Trade Association will share from a policy level, how it can encourage paradigm shift in the industry. Meanwhile, industry leaders from Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Informa Markets, KPMG, New World Corporate Services Limited and ReThink HK will discuss what can be done on a practical level to realize the feasibility of integrating resource circularity in the MICE industry. Join us in exploring innovative strategies and collaborative approaches that can reshape the MICE industry toward a more sustainable future. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and create a thriving business ecosystem. Whether you are coming from a MICE industry background, if organizing event is part of your business outreach strategy, this is the event for you to learn more about how you might run event that are more align with the rising sustainability trend. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gkYmekWU The event details are as follows: Date: 6 June 2024 (Thursday) Time: 2:30pm – 5:30pm (4:30pm – 5:30 will be the networking session) Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, The University of Hong Kong Language: Mainly English and Cantonese (with simultaneous interpretation in English and Cantonese) Format: Physical and Online via Zoom #pslb #svc #businesssustainability #sustainabilityleadership #sustainability #business #sme #collaboration #sustainablevaluechains #sdgs #undp #HSBC #HBF 

Our latest blog post is now live! This post compares Ireland's tipping traditions to those of other European countries. Tipping culture varies from country to country, so this is a great read for those who travel a lot and want to adapt to local tipping norms. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ePwKzaWA

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲? I was invited to give an opening keynote at a conference last week. It was part of JISR The Bridge Film Festival, a festival that showcases films from the Gulf Cooperation Council. (GCC), i.e. mainly countries from the Middle East (organized by SWAPAC and Cinepluto) The topic I was asked to speak on was “𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴” Questions started ringing like alarms in my mind. “ Wow, such a heavy topic, how am I supposed to cover this in 10 minutes?” "What can I possibly speak about?" "What examples can I use? The topic was complex. It was definitely a daunting challenge. How do I make a speech that is concise and impactful? Will it resonate with the audience? Given all that’s going on with the world recently, this can be a really a sensitive topic to speak about. I could reject the invite or face this challenge head-on. As I was driving through Arab St in Kampong Glam area, it hit me. I am looking at a prime example of how culture intersects with trade. The iconic shophouses of Singapore. Back then, along and around this street, there would be many sheikh haji, pious men known for their knowledge of the haj, who would help pilgrims with their preparations. That was also how some of the streets in this area have Arabian influence, eg Haji Lane, Baghdad St. More ideas start to flow naturally as I continued my drive. The experience taught me that while the topic may initially seem daunting, ideas may hit you when you least expect it, and when they do, it allows you to develop them which is an opportunity to grow and learn. It just so happened that in my work, I deal with cultural assets such as shophouses, which has historical charm and contribute to trade through commercial activities and heritage tourism.  Overall, I think the speech went well. Got the thumbs up 👍 from Singapore's Ambassador to the State of Kuwait and had some attendees talked to me after. I also read recently how our brain works differently while driving and why some people get their most creative ideas in the car. Apparently, there is a science behind it! 😅 In what other situations have you experienced an idea hitting you? #networking #ideas #shophouses  

Learn more about our work in Singapore in this great video. Plus, tips on must-visit places during next month's #Rotary24 Convention!

🌟 Celebrating Cultural Awareness through Food and Stories 🌟 Last weekend, after an amazing day in the sun, we headed to my friend’s house where I offered to make dinner for our friends and kids. Cooking and feeding people is my love language Chipo Beatrice Zulu, but little did I know I was stepping out of my comfort zone. When I opened the cupboards, I asked, "Where are the spices??" For anyone who’s familiar with African and Caribbean kitchens, you know they’re bursting with a variety of spices and seasonings. In my friend's English cupboard, I found sea salt, basil, onion, and garlic. I thought, "Ummmm, what the heck?" I had cooked for these guys before, but always from my own kitchen. I was worried my cooking credibility was going to take a hit that night. Just then, on of the Dads Liz Neidhardt (Matt) offered to help, and I quickly said, "YES PLEASE." Together, we were dynamite in the kitchen. We bonded over shared stories and cultures. It reminded me of how important it is to understand and celebrate each other’s cultures, with food being a universal language. As an organisation, what are you doing to foster cultural awareness? At Tosimba, we believe in the power of cultural exchange and understanding. We offer tailored programs to help organisations create a more inclusive and culturally aware environment. Whether through culinary experiences, storytelling sessions, or interactive workshops, we’re here to help you celebrate diversity and enhance cultural competence in your teams. 👉 If you’re looking to boost cultural awareness in your organisation, let’s connect! Together, we can create a workplace where every culture is valued and celebrated. #CulturalAwareness #DiversityAndInclusion #Tosimba #InclusiveWorkplace #CrossCulturalTraining #FoodAndCulture

Join Agata Osinska, IMCM and our team in #Singapore next week to learn more about the #Caribbean #citizenship by investment programs as well as the changes announced to these programs in the coming months. Details and registration below 👇🏻

As I stumbled upon the upcoming 2024 Korea Street Fair event, Set to take place from April 12-14 at The Plaza, DLF Avenue, Saket in New Delhi. It sparked a series of thoughts about the significance of cultural celebrations like these, this fair promises to be a vibrant showcase of Korean culture, food, and retail excellence. But why are events like the Korea Street Fair so important? Beyond the delicious food and exciting shopping opportunities, they serve as invaluable platforms for cultural exchange and dialogue. By bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, these fairs create opportunities for mutual learning and understanding. Through experiencing Korean cuisine, fashion, music, and more, attendees gain insights into the rich tapestry of Korean culture. They develop a deeper appreciation for the traditions, customs, and values that make Korea unique. This not only fosters cultural awareness but also promotes cross-cultural empathy and connection. Moreover, events like the Korea Street Fair play a vital role in promoting tourism and economic exchange between countries. By showcasing the best of what Korea has to offer, these fairs attract visitors and investors, fostering international partnerships and collaborations. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, events that celebrate cultural diversity and promote intercultural exchange are more important than ever. They serve as bridges that connect people across borders, fostering friendships and collaborations that transcend cultural differences. So, count me in for an unforgettable experience filled with great food, music, and culture at the 2024 Korea Street Fair. I can't wait to immerse myself in everything that Korea has to offer and make lasting memories along the way! #KoreaStreetFair #KoreanCulture #FoodieFestival #RetailExcellence #CulturalExchange #EmbassyofKorea #KYCA

Belt n road... n sea n rail n whatever else. Did you know its now past the physicals as China initiates various cultural pathways developing unique cultural aspects between itself and connecting nations along the various routes, complete with the unique cuisine n foods of the nations linked. No surprises, nasi lemak of Malaysia is served during collaboration discussions bringing the cultural uniqueness into reality along the routes. Best bread in the world ie roti canai now being touted increasingly in Taiwan, Indo China. Soon enough, images will be out on what's being discussed in meetings currently. Besides food, current discussions I am advised revolve around such aspects as embroidery.

My classmate owns the Shangri La Hotel Chain. His name is Baylor Kuok. He is the youngest son of Robert Kuok. Robert Kuok Hock Nien (simplified Chinese: 郭鹤年; traditional Chinese: 郭鶴年; pinyin: Guō Hènián; Foochow Romanized: Guóh Hŏk-nièng; born 6 October 1923) is a Malaysian business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Since 1973, Kuok has lived in Hong Kong.[2] According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $11.8 billion as of April 2023,[3] making him the wealthiest Malaysian citizen[4][5] and 96th wealthiest person in the world.[6] As of April 2023, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index 2023, Kuok has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion, making him the 97th richest person in the world.[7]

I am currently in Bangkok 🇹🇭 with the Mikskaar team, exhibiting at a trade show Horti ASIA. Over the past few years, I have delved deeply into the differences between low and high-context cultures and have started to notice some distinctions. Thailand 🇹🇭 is a high-context culture, but this doesn't mean that all Thai people adhere strictly to these cultural norms. The biggest challenge is to be creative in different situations while communicating. For example, two years ago, I made a mistake by providing a lengthy explanation of how things should be done in the exhibition hall. Although the staff were Thai, in some situations, you need to be simple and clear. Typically, high-context cultures are not straightforward, but there are instances where simplicity and clarity are necessary. Today, for instance, I ordered additional services from the NCC team. They have set up four categories to help exhibitors, each responsible for a different area: furniture, electrical equipment, and lighting, graphics, and so on. There was no point in explaining to the person in charge of electrical equipment that a print needed to be added. Initially, I did just that because I was used to dealing with one person and didn't immediately realize I was talking to the wrong person. Once directed to the right person, my problem was solved in one minute. I wasted three minutes explaining to the wrong person due to my mistake instead of going directly to the correct person (by the way, they had BIG signs on the desk, which I just didn’t read). They solved it in 30 seconds. ➡ This is just one example from today, but I counted around eight similar moments in one day. 💡 Takeaway: Be creative and read signs. The fantastic team behind this trade show is very well organized, and communication has been clear and effective! My special thank you Kamolchanok Nantaburom! #highcontextculture #thaiculture #hortiasia #exhibitions #tradeshows