ESOMAR Moves Conference after Bangkok Riots

Following street protests in Thailand that left 21 people dead at the weekend, ESOMAR has moved its forthcoming Asia Pacific conference from the InterContinental in Bangkok, to the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The event will still go ahead from 25-27 April.

Director General Finn Raben said that because events in Thailand had escalated, there is now 'too much uncertainty' regarding ESOMAR's ability to ensure the safety of attendees.

Those delegates who had already made reservations at the InterContinental, will be able to cancel without penalty.

However, while several airlines told the research industry body that their policies may change over the next couple of days, ESOMAR has urged delegates to contact their own carrier to see what their cancellation/re-route policy is.

For those delegates who are unable to change their plans to attend the conference in Kuala Lumpur, ESOMAR will transfer the registration fee to another conference in 2010, so long as any difference between registration fees is paid. Alternatively, delegates will be able to transfer the registration fee to the 2011 ESOMAR Asia Pacific Conference, which is to be held in Sydney, Australia.

Those who cancel will be charged a EUR 400 fee for the conference, and a EUR 200 fee for the workshop.

Raben said that ESOMAR believes 'the show must go on', and that the decision to move the conference had been made to ensure the safety of delegates, supporters, and staff.

Web site: www.esomar.org .