Crisis management case study

ASPIRE 2010 – Bangkok, ThailandPresented by

3 October 2013

Marcel Ewals, Director Business Development Asia

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• Kenes Asia was a “new company” supported by a team of veteran organisers from Asia.

• ASPIRE was the first congress for Kenes Asia - April 9-10, 2010

• It was an astounding success• the exhibition grew to 1,200sqm net (12,000 sqf net)

• Delegates were increased from average 600 to 1,150• Location was downtown Bangkok at the brand new

Bangkok Convention Centre

Overview

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DO NOT CONFUSE WITH TAIWAN

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This is Thailand

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Two political rivals……

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March 8 – layout of Bangkok

Convention Centre

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2008 Occupation of Suvranabumi Airport (BKK)

This was the significant action 2 years earlier by the the Opposition that blocked the airport and halted many economical pipelines as such. Occupying an airports was since than deemed and “act of terrorism”

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Red shirts – occupy streets Downtown and Gov House– March 13

Convention Centre

By moving into the key shopping district it affected all Bangkokians and every day life, many offices and tourists. It was a “party” environment at this stage.

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Protesters are peacefully camping downtown – week 6

Major shopping centers and key offices cannot open as protesters camp outside.

The Convention center cannot be accessed by car.

Demonstration can disburse any time.

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Our options: What were our decision steps? April 3

At this stage, all was quiet, and we expected the demonstrators to disburse any moment. We chose to move in case they did not – it was 5 days before opening.

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We organized to key teams:

Monday: T - 4

April 8 Thai Prime minister declares “state of Emergency:

• It’s T – 1 (day before Opening)

• Delegates are arriving and being transported to Pattaya

• Widespread rumors about what will happen next

• Then, pressure mounts as PM declared “State of Emergency” in Bangkok

• We are now in Pattaya City

Some PR relief – Kyrgyzstan Riots take headlines

• World media shifts attention to Eastern Europe.

• As Thailand is peaceful, the news moves on.

• More people commit to attend.

We open….

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T + 1 To everyone’s surprise, Police closes the zone

Clashes occur, and international media makes it world news!

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The demonstrations turn extremely violent after Military steps in and barricades are mounted.

Clashes grow violent in Bangkok starting the last day

• Delegates departed safely to the airport

• No one came near any conflict area

• Police escorts were provided for added safety feeling

Clash area

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Key lessons applied..

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Decision making process

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Decision time versus risk increase

risk

Tim

e

start

Finish

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Communication is key to everyone

Play to come out on top

• Its not just about reducing risk, its also about finding the opportunity

Primary objective:

• Continuation is most often the most cost effective solution

• postponement is expensive.

• Cancellation limits liability at the go/no-go date

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And then, 2 weeks later…..

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And Volcano in Iceland disrupted Air Traffic in Europe, staling 9000 delegates in Vienna from going home… but that is another story.

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Full story is on www.kenes.com search: “how to move a congress in 4 days”

mewals@kenes.com