IPBA 2018
Challenge
The integration of the ASEAN Economic Community presents favorable opportunities not only for the region but for the world. As Member States strengthen multilateral ties and take on a collective approach to trade, collaboration and ease of doing business in Southeast Asia is expected to improve. Because the region is envisioned to become the next economic powerhouse of the world, questions arise as to what the role of the legal profession is in achieving this. With this, international business and commercial lawyer organization Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) resolved to bring the conversation to its 1,500-strong membership through its Annual Meeting and Conference.
Targeted to lawyers who live in or have a strong interest in the Asia-Pacific region, IPBA chose Manila, Philippines to be the host of the 28th IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference.
Game Plan
Aiming to deliver a meaningful experience for its 28th Annual Meeting and Conference all the while promoting the Philippines and encouraging foreign IPBA members to travel for the event, the Manila host committee engaged with TeamAsia as partner for turnkey events management. Together, the organizations conceptualized the theme entitled Fostering Seamless Cooperation in ASEAN and Beyond and developed an events plan around the communication goal.
TeamAsia then executed the plans from creative design, registration, delegate fee management, and sponsorship management to onsite coordination, production design, and media management. Aside from the convention proper, four events were also mounted to give the foreign delegates an unforgettable experience of Filipino hospitality. The delegates were given the chance to attend Golf Tournaments, a Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner, and Farewell Night—all of which were conceptualized, executed, and managed by TeamAsia as well.
As for pre-event marketing strategies, TeamAsia maximized various online platforms and IPBA membership networks. To touch base with professionals under IPBA, TeamAsia flew to Auckland, New Zealand for the 27th Annual Meeting and Conference in 2017. There, the team set up a Philippines-inspired booth to encourage pre-registration for the conference the following year. Aside from that, TeamAsia provided the graphic design and ad copy for the conference’s promotional materials published in the IPBA Journal and blasted via electronic direct mailers. A website and mobile application were also designed and developed to serve as the conference’s primary information hub for the IPBA members.
