Event Challenges

As the appointed event organizer, our a.c.e crew managed both of the physical event held at Fairmont Singapore, as well as the virtual event platform which was broadcasted simultaneously. Given that team a.c.e is based in Malaysia, we were required to divide into two groups to develop the dual sets of event production to backing both the live event and remote components, making it like running two events at the same time.

It involves a wide range of tasks, including conceptualizing and organizing the event, managing budgets and schedules, selecting venues, coordinating vendors, promoting the event, and ensuring the smooth running of the event on the day. These requires a high level of attention to detail, organization, communication, and project management skills.

We have a tight deadline of only 8 weeks to manage every single detail of the program. Important task includes registering and managing attendees, creating content, coordinating on-site production, producing videos, monitoring the platform, setting up on-site, and more. Effective communication between CGS-CIMB, the platform provider, and the audio-visual team is the key to ensure a smooth and seamless experience during this hybrid event.

Why appointed Above Creative Events (M) Sdn. Bhd. ( a.c.e.) for Event Management?

As the international host partner for CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd, a.c.e, was responsible for organizing the first hybrid event spanning Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. It was crucial that a.c.e provided comprehensive support to ensure a smooth event experience.

As a result of our past successful efforts, CGS-CIMB has entrusted a.c.e to host several of their events, including Invest Singapore 2020, the Shariah Investing Virtual Conference 2020-2021, Malaysia Corporate Day 2020-2022, and other international conferences. This demonstrates that a.c.e stands out among the competition and holds a unique position in the industry.

Pre-Event Executions

CGS-CIMB selected the award-winning Fairmont Hotel in Singapore due to their comprehension of the conference objectives and their strategic located in the heart of the lion city, a short drive to Singapore Airport. In order to ensure the success of the event, it's important that a.c.e have long-established good relationships and work closely with local suppliers and hotel partners to guarantee safety and security planning, as well as proper stage arrangements.

Event management must coordinate with these partners to ensure that all aspects of the event run efficiently, from start to finish. This collaboration enables our event managers to have control over the various components of the event, ensuring that the attendees have a positive experience. Moreover, by working with trusted and reliable suppliers and hotel partners, a.c.e can reduce the risk of unexpected disruptions or setbacks, allowing us to focus on delivering a successful event and establishing a positive image as a well-known event management company.

Recognizing the importance of engaging content to attract attendees, a.c.e closely collaborated with CGS-CIMB on the conference agenda. To provide valuable insights on the topics, CGS-CIMB invited renowned industry experts and top management from prominent Shariah-compliant companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, the Singapore Exchange, and the Indonesia Stock Exchange to share their thoughts on the industry's post-pandemic recovery over the two-day conference. These influential speakers certainly drew the attention of thousands of individuals globally who are interested to know more about Shariah investing.

We have collaborated with Hello Virtual Event (HVE) in many conferences to provide attendees with event management software. This software allowed attendees to easily register themselves and access information about the event, conference agenda, and FAQ session. To ensure the software was user-friendly, the profiles of the invited speakers were showcased along with the event schedule on the microsite.

To familiarize attendees with the virtual event platform before the actual event date, we provided a video tutorial on the event platform to showcase the various features such as the Main Lobby, Plenary Hall, Breakout Lobby, Networking Lounge, Info Desk, Agenda, Briefcase, and Chatbox.

Main Event Executions

The onsite team travelled to Singapore the day before the event to carry out the setup and rehearsal, focusing on effective collaboration and communication among the vendors, speakers, and clients. We ensure our crew members are familiar with the contingency plans to handle any unexpected issues.

Upon arrival, attendees were required to confirm their attendance at the iPad registration counter, after which they were encouraged to network and socialize in the foyer over light refreshments. In order to maintain social distancing, the seating chart was pre-arranged based on the guest list.

The speaker's seating arrangements were well-planned. A large LED screen was used to display the event backdrop and used as an LED Touch Screen in launching for iCash Trading Account in Singapore and the Shariah Trading Online System (SOTS) in Indonesia, creating a futuristic and sustainable event atmosphere.

The virtual part of the event RSIS 2022 was broadcasted on the HVE platform. During the live sessions, the team switched between camera angles to keep virtual attendees fully engaged, and the hybrid emcee consistently interacted with both the live and virtual audience to bridge the gap between the two.

Balancing was the key to ensuring the experiences for both in-person and virtual attendees were as similar as possible, with additional networking opportunities for in-person attendees and extra panel sessions exclusively for virtual attendees, complete with live surveys and polling to enhance engagement. By conducting surveys, we can identify the areas for improvement and ensure better prepared for future events.

Event Results

RSIS 2022 was successfully held on 23 and 24 June 2022. The session recordings were made available on the event platform three days after the conference.

The two-day conference drew thousands of attendees from around the world who were interested in learning more about Shariah investing. The post-event surveys revealed overwhelmingly positive satisfaction with the event. The virtual format made the conference more accessible and inclusive. By combining in-person and virtual attendees, hybrid event offers the ability to reach a broader audience. This results in a higher overall attendance and a more diverse group of participants. By giving attendees more options for participation, hybrid event leads to increased engagement and satisfaction as they can choose the format that suits them best.

CGS-CIMB expressed their satisfaction with the event, praising the excellent HVE platform and effective event planning. The two event production teams provided exceptional support and customer service. Ultimately, CGS-CIMB's partnership with a.c.e was the crucial factor in the success of the hybrid event.