Hybrid Events Leader

I was the event director of IMPACT2020 and overall project assistant of the Smart Tourism in GBA forum. During the event, I focus on the logistics planning for the conference and coordinating with different stakeholders. Hybrid events require the preparation for both online and offline venues and platforms that spend more time in logistics planning. Also, the dynamic pandemic situation leads to constantly changing precaution policy and guidance. So the decisions were hard to make, and quite a lot were last-minute decisions. It required our quick response and more backup plans to the fast-changing circumstances. The overall event success with 180+ online and in-person attendees from all over the world.

Mr. CHOW Chung Man Darren
BSc (Hons) Tourism and Events Management
School of Hotel and Tourism Management

Domain Expertise:

Event Management

The central focus of the discussion revolves around event management, including organizing conferences like IMPACT2020 and Smart Tourism in GBA. It covers various aspects, such as logistics planning, coordination with stakeholders, and handling hybrid events.

Tourism and Hospitality

The domain knowledge of tourism and hospitality is also prominent, as Darren is a recent graduate in tourism and event management from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM). The events organized and the context of the discussions are related to the tourism and hospitality industry.

Technology in Tourism

The discussion mentions the utilization of advanced and innovative technology in developing smart tourism in the Greater Bay Area. This indicates knowledge of technology's role and potential applications within the tourism industry.

Crisis Management

Given that the events took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the planning and execution required knowledge of crisis management, especially in dealing with constantly changing precaution policies and ensuring safety measures.

Collaboration and Networking

While not a specific domain, the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and networking skills are emphasized throughout the discussion. These skills are essential for successfully organizing events and working in the tourism and event management industry.

Lifelong Learning Excellence:

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

Darren encountered challenges during event planning, especially while managing hybrid events and coordinating with various stakeholders. To overcome these difficulties, he needed to think critically, come up with solutions, and implement backup plans when necessary.
Handling event logistics, both online and offline, required effective time management to ensure everything ran smoothly. Darren learned to prioritize tasks and allocate time appropriately, allowing him to meet deadlines and handle multiple responsibilities.

Project Management and Teamwork

Through his event planning experiences, Darren acquired various generic soft skills, such as interpersonal skills, which are crucial for working with diverse groups of people, as well as project management skills, which are applicable across different industries and workplaces.

Accountability and Motivation

Darren demonstrated a willingness to learn and research new ideas, particularly when handling complex IT elements related to broadcasting during hybrid events. This openness to learning helps him adapt to new challenges and technologies in the industry.

Learning-to-learn

After encountering difficulties and stress during the early event, IMPACT2020, Darren engaged in reflective practice, analyzing the causes of stress and making adjustments for the subsequent event, Smart Tourism in GBA. This reflective approach enabled him to improve his performance and work more comfortably.

Networking and Collaboration

Darren emphasized the importance of participating and volunteering in different events, as it allows students to network with industry professionals, gain insights, and have fun while learning. These social and networking skills are valuable for building connections and future career opportunities.

Inspiring Quotes:

Explore More:

The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey! To further expand your knowledge and continue your personal and professional growth. Click and explore the following learning resources:

Domain Knowledge OER