Speaker


STEVEN SCHIPANI Zipevent

STEVEN SCHIPANI

SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)

Steven Schipani is the Senior Portfolio Management Specialist at ADB’s Lao PDR Resident Mission. He manages a portfolio of around USD800 million that covers public investments in agriculture and natural resources, education, energy, health, industry and trade, transport; and water supply and other municipal infrastructure and services. Steven is also ADB’s tourism sector focal for the Greater Mekong Subregion. He leads the design and administration of investment projects and technical assistance to improve tourism competitiveness and boost subregional cooperation. A United States national, Mr. Schipani has lived and worked in Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam since 1994. He stared his career as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.

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 TOURISM FORUM – OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY


27 June 2018 | 13:30 - 15:30 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - SRIKOTRABOON CONFERENCE CENTER (3RD FLOOR)

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2018 Official Opening Ceremony, presided by the Vice Minister of Tourism & Sports of Thailand and the Governor of Nakhon Phanom Province will celebrate successful tourism collaboration in the GMS. Opening Remarks H.E. Mr. Itthiphol Kunplome Ministry of Tourism & Sports Thailand Vice Minister Opening Remarks H.E. Mr. Somchai Vitdamrong Nakhon Phanom Province Governor Opening Remarks Mr. Steven Schipani Asian Development Bank Senior Portfolio Specialist Opening Remarks Mr. Jens Thraenhart Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Executive Director

PRESS CONFERENCE


27 June 2018 | 15:30 - 16:00 | NAKHON PHANOM UNIVERSITY - RAMA RAJ ROOM