Page 14 - KZN Business Sense 11.1

An early morning view of Hong Kong (once the clouds parted). Wade Howard looking happy and relaxed at the welcome/farewell reception

TAKING HONG KONG BY STORM

Wade Howard, director and senior very similar way. Super Typhoon was still about 45 minutes away. was moved to the final evening United shirts branded with
photographer at OD Media (Pty) Ltd Ragasa was gathering strength I am always early, as being late is and was well worth the wait. Routes logos to the host city as
as it approached. I arrived the not an option. The anticipation Just a day after the typhoon hit, a gesture of thanks. This event
his was not the first time evening before in pouring rain built as I imagined capturing everything returned to normal also marked almost exactly ten
the ODM Media team and, within hours, already had incredible photos of Hong Kong as if nothing had happened. years of us working with Routes
Thad travelled to a Routes cabin fever. I like to unpack city, only to watch the entire The local population deals with worldwide. Before leaving
event under an ominous weather quickly and head out to explore. skyline disappear beneath a thick these weather systems regularly, South Africa, I had comfortable
warning. Back in 2018, we headed No time to waste. If there is a blanket of cloud as the sun rose. and another one was already hoodies made featuring both
to Routes World in Guangzhou, beach nearby, that is always Eventually, patience paid off and I approaching shortly after we left. our company logos on the front
China, unsure whether we would first prize. Walking barefoot on managed to capture some shots of The harbour told the story best, and a large ten on the back,
even be able to land as Super the earth after hours spent in a the magnificent city. completely empty before the listing the events we had worked
Typhoon Mangkhut approached. tin can far above the ground is With no taxis in sight, I walked storm and bustling once again on together.
It was the first time the conference essential for me. back down the mountain, about the day after. Despite my nerves, I asked for
had ever been affected by weather. The following morning looked an hour’s journey, caught the train Routes, the organisers of a few minutes in the morning
On day one, I walked into the promising before the storm and returned to the hotel just in the event, did an exceptional meeting, delivered a short speech
team room to find our clients arrived, so I was up at 3.45am time to meet the rest of the team job throughout. They kept and presented the director of
sitting there with ghost white searching for a taxi. This who had arrived overnight. delegates informed, calm and Routes with a hoodie. The wider
faces. More than 3000 delegates turned out to be far harder than accommodated constant changes team received hoodies too,
were evacuated immediately, with expected. Taxis only accepted That afternoon, the storm over the four days, including although luggage space limited
police and military personnel cash and there were no ATMs intensified and the city shut down. late arrivals, cancellations and numbers. It was a proud moment
deployed to shuttle everyone back nearby. Eventually, one driver We were confined to our hotels delays. For us, it was simply for our team and one that did
to their hotels. agreed to take me to an ATM as the typhoon peaked overnight. about adapting, supporting the not go unnoticed. Messages of
What amazed me most was that
The three of us, however, were along the way and then on to I slept straight through it. Not client and making the most of thanks are still coming through.
staying in an Airbnb a few stops Kowloon Viewing Point. He drove because I am a heavy sleeper, the situation. Next up, and hopefully without
away on the underground and like he had just come straight but because you could not hear We managed to swap hotels typhoons, is Brazil, China, Italy
did not have a bus waiting for from a Saturday night at Blue a thing through the insulated before lockdown to gain better and Saudi Arabia in 2026. Let’s
us. Instead, we walked through Lagoon, pushing his tiny car to windows. They are clearly coverage and were able to keep the South African flag flying
the downpour, which was a relief 160 kilometres an hour along designed for these conditions. continue filming, photographing around the world. 
from the oppressive humidity, twisting highways. Unable to I doubt even a hadada could and posting on social media
made our way to the underground communicate properly and not penetrate them. to show that business was still M: +27 (0)83 331 6796
and enjoyed an unexpected day wanting to offend him, I closed The following day was meant moving forward. The rest of the E: wade@odmedia.co.za
off. South Africans do not shy my eyes and prayed. conference was a success, and W: www.odmedia.co.za
away from adventure. to begin with the welcome everyone involved was relieved
After navigating a long, reception, but due to travel
Fast forward to the end of 2025 narrow road that snaked up restrictions this was changed to once it concluded.
and our trip to Routes World the mountain, we arrived at the small gatherings at each hotel. Traditionally, the Routes
Hong Kong was unfolding in a viewpoint in the dark. Sunrise The official welcome reception team presents Manchester

Day one with delegates arriving and off to registration at AsiaWorld- The meeting hall which is full for three days straight with airlines and The welcome/farewell reception at the amazing M+ art museum in
Expo airport delegates trying to confirm new airline routes West Kowloon

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