November 5 to 7, 2024. Chiang Mai University
Thanks for coming to Splice Beta 2024 ❤️
FAQs for Beta attendees
What is the Splice Beta venue?
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
For more venue specifics, please check your email and the Splice Beta Telegram group.
Where should I stay?
In the Nimman district of Chiang Mai.
You’ll be surrounded by plenty of restaurants and cafes — and very reasonably priced hotels. Here's a quick list of Chiang Mai hotels to consider staying at.
You may also want to check out Airbnb if you’re coming as a group — there are some great houses you could share.
The Beta 2024 speakers
Gluten-forward, crunchy, deep-fried, and really, really good for you 😍
What’s one thing people in media should understand about serving a community?
We asked some Beta first-timers
“A media organisation should know that serving a community is like running a restaurant. You have to watch which dishes get sent back or are never ordered, no matter how much the chef loves them. National politics may be good for a democratic diet, but if the customers want to know about Ponzi schemes, you have to keep them on top of the menu.
Spinach salad cannot beat chili oil noodles.
And customers come back only because they can't find your chili oil anywhere else.”
— Muskan Bansal
International Center for Journalists
Splice Beta is for anyone who is serving audiences in the information space.
We’re talking mavericks, rule-breakers, game changers — people who understand that the best of media happens when we make our audiences seen.
Be Beta. Be tuktuk.
The strongest media businesses understand that people don't buy journalism — they buy ways to solve problems they face, a way to improve their lives, a painkiller, status, to feel important.
Beta is a festival about how to treat your users. The people who actually use your stuff. The ones who pay your bills. Your salaries. The ones who go on to tell everyone how well you treated them. And how you solved their most nagging problems.
Media is in the hospitality business — understanding needs, solving problems, helping people make decisions, creating more meaningful lives. And in doing so, helping our people — our users, stakeholders, viewers, readers — feel seen.
Hospitality is about making people feel seen, heard, acknowledged. That means not treating them like data points on your analytics dashboard. Instead, bring back the unique to that unique user. The best form of hospitality is one size fits one. User-driven, demand-based, highly intentional. And gracious.
Come celebrate this community and its traditions at Splice Beta in November.
Spiffy is the Splice Pay It Forward Fund.
Help someone get to Beta
Plane tickets and hotels are out of reach for a lot of people. Please consider donating to our Beta fund.
Splice Beta helps connect to opportunities for all of us in media — from business models and audiences to grants and jobs. Let’s make sure everyone has a seat at the table.
Eunice, Yaling, Sherry, Sudhir, Kirsten, Patrick, Maya, Darathtey, Anjali, Nadia, Mattia, Jeyup, Khalil, Tom, Anu, Krystal, Darsh, Hui Yee, Tanmoy, and all of you who wanted to stay anonymous — thank you so much for your kind donations! You make this community truly magical.
This is not a Beta ticket. This is a donation to our fund so that we can help people who can’t afford travel to get to Splice Beta.
What’s one thing people in media should understand about serving a community?
We asked some Beta first-timers
“My news isn’t your news.”
— Patrick Boehler
Gazzetta
What is Splice Beta?
An inclusive and diverse media creator festival in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.
Beta is the only event in Asia that brings together the media ecosystem. This is the golden age of media. Let us show you what it looks like.
Tuktuk therapy for all.
“Thank you, Beta for this immersive experience! It was my first time and the magical ambience created by Alan and Rishad is just contagious! The solidarity feeling that they created and the friendly and fun bonds were all life-changing!”
— Marwa Ershaidat
AlHudood
Jordan
Check out all the Beta venues and hotels — and our favourite spots for coffee, food, drinks, and music
What’s one thing people in media should understand about serving a community?
We asked some Beta first-timers
“One crucial aspect that the media should grasp in their mission to serve the community is their potential to become the missing pieces in people's lives.
Each media outlet, driven by its own unique objectives, seeks to connect with audiences. People engage with these communities not only out of curiosity but also because they recognise a space where their aspirations can be nurtured.
By gaining a deeper understanding of the public's desires, preferences, and challenges, media can seamlessly fill the gaps and add meaningful value to their lives.”
— Firda Iskandar
digitalMamaID
Who is Beta for? The global media ecosystem
Media startup founders, creators, tech folks, investors, journalists, media development donors, product managers, media program managers, and academics.
Diversity, inclusivity, and access are a big deal for us.
65.6% of registrants this year have never attended Beta before, come from 48 countries, are 53.3% female, and work at over 133 organisations.
These numbers are not a coincidence: they’re 100% intentionally designed like this with pride. So if we mess up on these stats, hold us accountable.
Many thanks to our sponsors for helping to bring the Splice community together for another year
What’s one thing people in media should understand about serving a community?
We asked some Beta first-timers
“For the longest time, journalists have pursued the truth like it’s a crusade, but there’s something more important: empathy and compassion for the people we serve.
Media is a public service, but it’s also a business. And how can we keep that business alive if our journalists and media workers are barely earning enough to live?
Journalism schools should be teaching not just storytelling but also the business of running a media organisation. Because when our people thrive, our communities thrive.”
— Marga Deona
The Launch & Meet Company
Some of the 130+ organisations at Beta this year
Agence France-Presse (AFP) • AIT • Amu TV • ApertureChina • Asia Investigative Reporting Network (ICFJ) • Asia New Zealand Foundation • Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) • Atleta Filipina • Bangkok Metropolitan Administration • Bangsamoro Multimedia Network • Behanbox • Beijing SourceEngine Technology • Border Eyes • Burma News International (BNI) • BurmaVJ Media • Center for Investigative Reporting • Chiang Mai University • Chulalongkorn University • Climate Tracker • Code for Africa • Cofact Thailand • Counselling Thailand • Daraj Media • Delta News Agency • Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) • Digitally Right • DigitalMamaID • Etilaatroz • Fojo Media Institute • Food For Mzansi Group • Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines • Frontier Myanmar • Gazzetta • Gereg & Ublife • Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) • Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) • GMA Network • Google • Gravitas PH • HaRDstories • Heritage Matters • Himal Southasian • Hong Kong Free Press • Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) • Ibex Media Network • Icarus Media • Impact Hub Phnom Penh • Inclusive Journalism • Inquirer Interactive • International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) • International Media Support (IMS) • International Press Institute (IPI) • Internews • Islands Business • Jom Media • JournalismAI • Kalam Digital • Karen Information Centre • KBR • Kiripost • Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) • Ladder Studios • Legal Initiatives for Vietnam • Lighthouse Reports • London School of Economics and Political Science • Luminate • Macroscope • MAHIA • Maldives Independent • Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) • Mekong Eye • Mindanao Institute of Journalism • MorningTide Capital Partners • Myanmar Now • Myanmar Women in Media • National Geographic • Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO • New Day Myanmar • Newsgraphy • Newsline • Newspack/Automattic • Nieman Foundation • NorthernX Company • Open Society Foundations • Phandeeyar • Probe • Pulitzer Center • PumaPodcast • Quezon City Government • Reframing Disability • Report for the World • Rest of World • SCG Media • Scroll • Shh... Diam! • Shit You Should Care About • South China Morning Post (SCMP) • Splice Media • StoryFlow • Studio Zainal & Zainal • Supernova.is • Syli • Than Lwin Khet News • Than Lwin Times • The Bridge of Asia • The Continent • The Conversation • The Examination • The Green Line • The Irrawaddy • The Launch & Meet Company • The News Minute • The Reporter Cultural Foundation • The Spinoff • The Standard • The Straits Times • Thibi • U.S. Embassy Hanoi • University of Hong Kong • University of South Australia/Central Queensland University • unnu.news • USAID • Vietnam Plus • VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi • VoiceDeck • Women’s Media Centre of Cambodia (WMC) • Zamaneh Media Foundation
What’s one thing people in media should understand about serving a community?
We asked some Beta first-timers
“Trust-building takes time, patience, and long-term investment, but trust is the foundation of serving a community because it results in a deep understanding that ultimately informs and leads to the production of information that's actually useful for the community.”
— Anita Li
The Green Line
Why you really should sponsor Splice Beta 2025
It’s a great marketing platform
Link to your organisation’s programs, work, and resources from the Beta website, newsletters, and social.
Are you launching a grant, fellowship, product, program, or service? Announce it at Beta. Let us help you get the word out.
You meet the community
We facilitate introductions to participants. Find your next upcoming media entrepreneur, creator, or newsroom.
We have private meeting rooms for quiet conversations. No one likes noisy cafes for important meetings.
Are you looking to introduce yourself to the community? We can help you organise social spaces around drinks and networking.
We’ll have great spaces for you.
It’s your opportunity to build the community
Host a session to recognise the heroes from your programs and cohorts. Let’s give them the acknowledgement they deserve.
Help the community learn what they need
Do you have case studies to present, or knowledge to teach? Run a workshop or presentation.
Best practices or tactical insights to impart? Run a Clinic.
That’s very Beta.
We appreciate you!
We’ll show our appreciation for your support at the sessions, on our website, newsletters, social media, printed materials, and signage. It truly matters to us.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my partner or colleague or spouse or friend or child to Beta?
No.
We have a strict policy at Splice Beta around capacity due to limited space and security. This means that your companions, partners, family, kids, friends, or colleagues cannot be accommodated in any Beta sessions, social events, or meals. Please spare us and yourself the logistical hassle and awkwardness and arrange to meet them outside of Beta. Splice is a two-person team, and we can use all the help we can get. Thank you 🙏
What is the Splice Beta venue?
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. For more venue specifics, please check your email and the Splice Beta Telegram group.
Will the sessions be recorded?
Yes — we’ll be recording the audio from most of the sessions. You’ll find them on our Splice Pink podcast eventually.
I can't make it to Beta. Can I get a refund?
Sorry — we can’t do refunds on your Beta ticket. Splice is a two-person startup, so we’re managing the entire process ourselves, and the refund process is time-consuming and expensive. But we have a fund for people who can’t afford flights and hotels to get to Beta (it’s called Spiffy, which stands for the Splice Pay It Forward Fund), so we hope you don’t mind if we pay it forward 🙏
I can't make it to Beta. Can you give my ticket to someone else?
Sorry to hear you can’t come. But let us know here as soon as you can, and we'll let someone in from the waitlist.
How do I get to Chiang Mai?
There are some direct flights from Southeast Asia, but some of you will be transiting through Bangkok, where it’s just a quick 75 min flight from the capital.
I’m ready to book my travel. When should I get there?
Please aim to arrive on the 4th so you have enough time to relax before things kick off. And then it’s two full days of festivities on November 6 and 7 (we’ll have the program up soon). You can then jump back on the plane on November 8 if you’re in a hurry.
Where should I stay?
Like in previous years, the venues will be in the Nimman district of Chiang Mai. You’ll be surrounded by plenty of restaurants and cafes — and very reasonably priced hotels. Here's a quick list of Chiang Mai hotels to consider staying at.
You may also want to check out Airbnb if you’re coming as a group — there are some great houses you could share.
I’ve heard Chiang Mai has great food. And coffee. And bars. Do you have a list of places you recommend?
You’re in luck! We have something better than a list — welcome to the Splice Beta 2024 map of this community’s favourite places in Chiang Mai.
Why are you charging higher prices for Beta institutional tickets this year?
The sponsorship space has changed greatly this year and we no longer have the same level of support as we had previously. Your US$450 corporate ticket helps us pay for venues, meals, drinks, and all the hands that go into putting this event together.
The pricing for individual tickets stays the same at US$50.
I can’t afford to attend Beta. Can you help?
Yes. So many people have generously donated to the Splice Pay It Forward Fund (we call it Spiffy). Email us and we’ll see what we can do.
I don’t have a credit card. How do I register and buy a ticket?
Tickets are all sold out. But email us and we’ll figure something out.
I want to help others get to Beta. How can I donate?
It’s so kind of you to offer. Please donate to our Splice Pay It Forward Fund here (we call it Spiffy). Thank you for your generosity!
Is it too late to sponsor Beta?
Noooooooo! Email us and let’s put your budget to use in helping grow this community.
Do you guys have a dress code?
Of course not — we’re not that kind of event. But we recommend shorts, t-shirts, and flipflops. (Extra points if you show up in Splice pink.)
Do you have a Splice t-shirt I can buy?
We’re so happy you asked! Yes, we do. (Also — mugs!)
I need a visa. Can you send me a letter of invitation?
Sure. Email us.
How do I get a SIM card?
The airport is the easiest and it’ll save you time for later. If not, head to the third floor of Maya Mall, or to Central Festival Mall, depending on where you’re staying. (Thanks for the tip, Ganesh.)
How do I get around Chiang Mai?
Like most Southeast Asian cities, Grab is all you need. So make sure you download the app and set up your payment methods before heading out. Grab is also useful if you need snacks delivered in the middle of the night!
Also, English may not be commonly used. So download the Thai language into your Google Translate to make things easier. (Thanks, Ganesh.)
What about money? Do I need cash?
Cash is always useful, but more places are starting to accept credit cards and other cashless payments (like Singapore’s PayNow and Malaysia’s DuitNow). The ATM machine at the airport is also useful if you need quick cash.
Expect to spend about $3-$5 a meal and $2-$5 for drinks.
What about charging?
Thailand commonly uses the round European two-pin plugs.
Will there really be a pink tuktuk?
Yes.
Will Ellie make a return this year?
Yes! Ellie the elephant was all over Beta last year. She is a symbol of your user — the big elephant in the room that so few of us pay any attention to. Or reader or listener or viewer or customer or fan or patron or whatever you feel like calling them. Either way, they’re the people you’re creating your content for — whether it’s news, journalism, updates, stories, posts, programs, funds, courses, or training. It’s time to give them some love.
