Speaker


GERRIT KRUGER Zipevent

GERRIT KRUGER

PARTNER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHAMELEON STRATEGIES

Gerrit Kruger has over 15 years of experience in marketing and customer relationship management in the services and hospitality industry. After gaining his bachelor in international management, marketing and tourism at the International University in Germany and studying at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, he started his career at the Singapore Tourism Board after which he gained experience through various marketing and business development roles in the hospitality industry before starting his company C&O to consult companies in Germany and Asia on Marketing and loyalty programmes. Since then, C&O has created the digital presence of various providers in the hospitality, services and online retail sector. He was head of Branding and Loyalty Marketing for Dusit Hotels & Resorts where he re-launched all loyalty programmes and directed the photographic and brand standards before joining Chameleon Strategies as Managing Director.

MEKONG MINI MOVIE FESTIVAL – 1ST ASIA FILM & DESTINATION CONFERENCE


26 June 2018 | 13:30 - 18:00 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)

Film has inspired millions to visit destinations. Learn from experts about the power of movie productions to user-generated videos and how they can be integrated into destination marketing. FILM CONFERENCE START TIME END TIME TOPIC 13:30 13:40 Emcee Joe Cummings – Editor, Talisman Media 13:40 13:50 Opening H.E. Mr. Pongpanu Svetarundra – Permanent Secretary, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports 13:50 14:05 Promoting Destinations via Film Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 14:05 14:25 Power of Visual Storytelling – Part 1 Mr. Rob Holmes – CEO, GLP Films (USA) 14:25 14:55 Competing for Movie Productions Ms. Sirinart Theenanondh – Chief of Film Business Promotion, Thailand Department of Tourism 14:55 15:15 Promoting Thailand via Visual Storytelling Ms. Titiporn Manenate – Director International Advertising, Tourism Authority of Thailand 15:15 15:35 Case Study: Hangover 2 – Lebua Hotel Bangkok Mr. Deepak Ohri – CEO, Lebua Hotels & Resorts 15:35 15:45 BREAK 15:45 16:05 Power of Visual Storytelling – Part 2 Mr. Vincent Sung – Journalist 16:05 16:25 Promoting Responsible Tourism via Visual Storytelling Mr.Gopinath Parayil – CEO & Founder – The Blue Yonder (India) 16:25 16:45 Video Bloggers promoting Destinations Mr. Polkrit Thomya – Producer, Hey ASEAN! 16:45 17:10 BREAK 17:10 17:30 Leveraging User-generated video content Mr. Gerrit Kruger – Managing Director, Chameleon Strategies 17:30 17:50 Promoting the Mekong Region via Visual Storytelling Mr. Jens Thraenhart – Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office 17:50 18:00 Closing Mr. Joe Cummings – Editor, Talisman Media

MEKONG INNOVATIVE STARTUPS IN TOURISM (MIST) – TRAVEL STARTUP PITCHES


27 June 2018 | 09:00 - 12:00 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM

Witness the MIST Showcase, where some of the most promising travel and hospitality startups will share their innovations with the Mekong tourism industry. 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Steven Schipani, Senior Portfolio Management Specialist, Asian Development Bank 9:15 Innovation Showcase Five early-stage startups will deliver 10-minute presentations about their business models and technology. Each presentation will include up to 5 additional minutes for questions and answers. 10:30 Tea Break 10:45 Innovation Showcase Three travel innovators will deliver 10-minute presentations about their business models and technology. Each presentation will include up to 5 additional minutes for questions and answers. 11:30 Structured Networking Meet the innovators! Our eight MIST innovators will be stationed at tables around the room. Meet them, interact with them, and schedule appointments for follow up. 5 finalists from Startup Accelerator They previously attended a boot camp May 17-22 in Ho Chi Minh City, where they competed against 14 other startups to join the program. • BambooLao (Lao PDR) produces reusable bamboo straws to replace single-use plastic straws. • VDEs – tìm kiếm địa điểm tổ chức tiệc cưới (Viet Nam) connects event planners with event venues and makes them bookable through their database. • Go Explore Vietnam (Viet Nam) organizes “workation” programs aimed at international and domestic remote workers. • SidesBag (Cambodia) is a mobile application enabling airline passengers to purchase available luggage allowance from fellow travelers. • Ecohost Vietnam (Viet Nam) improves the local homestay experience, improving the management of homestays and local activities while making them easier to book. 5 international travel and hospitality innovators for Market Access track. The MIST Market Access program invites innovators from around the world to solve tourism and hospitality industry challenges in the Greater Mekong Subregion. • Adventoro offers bucket-list worthy activities including whitewater rafting, jungle treks and diving excursions. Currently serving Malaysia, Adventoro will use the MIST Market Access Program to enter Viet Nam. • DidaTravel Technology, based in China, offers backend technology for hotel booking, providing real-time inventory and rates. • Moneybay provides a digital cross-border currency exchange platform. The Malaysian fintech makes it simple for tourist to make payments online and collect currency from a local partner. • Monkey Theory creates fun and happy experiences with branded sporting events – encouraging public health and social activity. • hereO, creator of the hero GPS watch for kids, offers plug-and-play IoT technology. It is considering IoT solutions for last-mile tourist transportation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

MEKONG INNOVATIVE STARTUP TOURISM (MIST) – TRAVEL STARTUP CONFERENCE


26 June 2018 | 09:00 - 11:30 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM

This session proves why MIST is unique among travel startup accelerator programs: the connection between startups and travel and tourism organizations for mutual benefit to build a sustainable and responsible tourism destination and ensure global competitiveness. MIST Startup Presentations will discuss the state of the travel startup eco-system in the GMS and ASEAN, and highlight successful travel startups in the region. MIST Startup Presentations will discuss the state of the travel startup eco-system in the GMS and ASEAN, and highlight successful travel startups in the region. More information at www.Mist.asia 9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Jason Lusk, Director, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism 9:10 An Investor’s View of Travel Sector Innovation in the Greater Mekong Subregion Victor Chua, Vynn Capital (via conference call) 9:25 Innovation in Tours & Activities Clement Wong, Founder, BeMyGuest 9:40 Innovation in Hospitality Jason Richards, APAC Business Development Manager, CloudBeds 9:55 Innovation in Transportation Alberto Moreno, Founder, Bao Lau 10:10 Tea Break 10:25 Audience Talkback: What innovations are needed most urgently in Mekong tourism and hospitality? Small group discussions Report-outs 11:00 Panel Discussion: How can we make innovation responsive to the needs of Mekong tourism? And how can we get more of it? Moderator: Jason Lusk, Director, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism Alberto Moreno, Founder, Bao Lau Jason Richards, APAC Business Development Manager, CloudBeds Clement Wong, Founder, BeMyGuest 11:20 Destination Mekong, Mekong Tourism, and the MIST Program: The role of startups and innovation in promoting the region Gerrit Kruger, Head of Operations, Destination Mekong 11:30 End of Conference

MEKONG TOURISM ADVISORY GROUP – METAG MEETING


29 June 2018 | 10:00 - 12:00 | R PHOTO HOTEL

The Mekong Tourism Advisory Group is open to active and passionate travel and tourism professionals from public and private sectors, active in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The agenda of the MTF 2018 MeTAG Meeting will consist of: • Review and feedback of 2018 Mekong Tourism Forum • Ideas for 2019 Mekong Tourism Forum in PR China • Experience Mekong Collection & Showcases • Mekong Moments • Mekong Mini Movie Festival • Mekong Trends Report on Responsible Tourism • Future Mekong Trends Reports • Mekong Tourism Special Interest Groups • Discussions about other potential projects • Funding for projects, executed by Destination Mekong Please send an email to jens at mekongtourism.org if you are interested in joining the MeTAG Meeting. Due to limited space, RSVP is very much appreciated. Active and constructive participation is desired.