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TIGHTER restrictions on movement and businesses in Indonesia as new coronavirus cases show no sign of abating. Emergency on restrictions on community activities (PPKM), tightening local and international flights, licensing for long activities are challenges for the Professional Conference Organizer (PCO) during the pandemic.
In this uncertain situation, the choice is clear, adapt or die. MICE industry players including many PCOs are trying to survive and adapt to meet challenges.
According to the CEO of Puntama Convex, Wisnu Budi Sulaeman explained how the PCO is trying to survive, among others by following government regulations, carrying out activities according to guidelines. Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) and choosing a CHSE certified meeting venue.
“However, CHSE is not just a matter of the physical building but involves many elements in it. For example, to get MICE certification, meeting venue managers and PCOs invest a lot of money, to prepare facilities according to health protocols, including preparing human resources (HR),” he said.
Then periodically, continued Wisnu Budi Sulaeman, HR must undergo a swab or antigen test. Even in a number of meeting venues, HR is required to take a shower before and after serving. This is of course an additional cost, even though the market is shrinking.
“Another adaptation is to build trust. The compliance of the MICE and PCO venue players in following the CHSE guidelines and implementing health protocols should be able to ease the concerns of many parties who are still hesitant to hold or allow meeting or conference activities during the pandemic,” he said.
He added that the activities carried out must follow the guidelines of the WHO and the Indonesian government, the venues used are also CHSE certified, all participants who come are recorded and tracked, then there is a COVID-19 task force that monitors, so this should be able to answer existing concerns.
“On the other hand, the Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is also trying to help the recovery of the national MICE industry,” he concluded. [sources/photo special]
