Expert SCB Support Contributes to Successful 17th Annual Baby Fair Sometimes, even seasoned event planners need outside help. When Sin-dong Gang, director of experienced exposition organizers eplus Inc. found his company in charge of the 2010 Seoul International Fair for Mother & Baby, he was pleased to find a reservoir of expert volunteer support in the shape of the Seoul Convention Bureau. Together, they worked tirelessly to pull off what would become a highly-successful event. Read on as Mr. Gang tells the tale... It was early February. I was battling against the clock preparing for an upcoming exhibition. Through the chaos came an email from the Seoul Convention Bureau, delivering some of the most welcome news an event planner can receive: they stood ready to provide event operation staff. It couldn't have come at a better time. Part of the said battle had entirely to do with my difficulties in securing some 70 event professionals, and here they were, being offered up to me on a plate. This was especially welcome also because the Baby Fair, which I was in the process of putting together, had been shifted from its usual February/August dates to March, when schools would be in session and my usual well of human resources in the shape of college students, would be unavailable. Thus I was faced at the time with only 9 staff members-nowhere near enough and time was running out. For that reason, and despite my relief at their offer, it seemed the promotion for the services offered by the Seoul Convention Volunteer Group was somewhat late in coming. The Baby Fair is Korea's largest public exhibition. It is a large-scale exhibition, and more than anything else, it usually attracts more than 100,000 pregnant women and mothers, so it tends to be crowded. For this reason, it requires many support-staff members, and they play an important role, and it would be no exaggeration to say that their performance determines the success of the event. The exhibition also provides many facilities for visitors-including a nursery, a baby carriage rental place and shuttle bus support that cannot be found in other events. For this reason, officials concerned who are well-versed in the Baby Fair choose and train operation staff and conduct field management in person, despite the other alternative of manpower agency services offered by human resources service providers. It is reported that many students majoring in exhibition and conventions think that they need to work at least once for the Baby Fair. Applicants for the Seoul Convention Volunteer Group seemed to be more prepared than others. For instance, they stood out among others because they participated in interviews and orientation more proactively, and they also maintained commitment during the event. They were more experienced in international conferences and rapidly adapted to exhibition-related obligations. More than anything else, they contributed to the creation of a positive environment, while promoting their volunteer group to others. Teamwork is thus clearly a very important component in holding an exhibition, and they played their part to the fullest. The Baby Fair selected up to 150 supporters, consisting of housewife members who monitor the exhibition, and the results were reflected in the following exhibition to correct problems. Naturally, they monitor staff members' conduct, and are highly evaluated operation staff-to the extent that few people have complained about the service staff. I think that the members of the Seoul Convention Volunteer Group played an important role, despite the small numbers involved. The 17th annual Baby Fair has been evaluated as a success in various aspects, such as the fact that as many as 107,000 people visited, which was the highest number in its history. During the weekend, 35,000 people visited, which was the largest number of daily visitors since the opening of COEX. At that time, downtown areas around Samseong-dong, Teheranro and Olympic Grand Bridge were almost jam-packed. However, thanks to the great efforts on the part of the staff, the exhibition turned out to be a great success, despite these initial difficulties. Since the role of the operation staff is so important in the event, I would like to hire the Seoul Convention Volunteer Group, first and foremost, to make the exhibition a success in the future. Last but not least, I would like to deeply thank the officials of the Seoul Convention Bureau and the nine volunteers who supported the Baby Fair. The Baby Fair, currently celebrating its 17th anniversary in 2010, is a specialized exhibition providing information on pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing to pregnant women, new mothers and fathers. It was supported by the Seoul Convention Volunteer Group this year following last year's successful event. The Seoul Tourism Marketing Convention Bureau provides expert staff for the successful implementation of conventions, exhibitions and corporate meetings. Inquiry: Deputy Section Chief Gi-suk Kim with Seoul Convention Bureau 3788-0824 Employee Yu-na Seo 3788-0866 |
