GroundK ran integrated motorcade and shuttle operations for the Our Ocean Conference and the Ministerial Meeting in Busan, serving ministers and delegations from more than 20 countries alongside individual participants. We built a wide-area shuttle network linking Gimhae International Airport, BEXCO, and the main hotels in Haeundae, and monitored every vehicle in real time through our own VMS (Vehicle Management System). We also coordinated onward domestic travel for participants continuing to APEC SOM2 in Jeju.
The challenge: transport beyond a single city
This event did not stay within Busan alone. Delegations arriving at Gimhae International Airport needed to move smoothly between BEXCO and the main hotels in Haeundae, while individual participants required separate shuttles linking the airport, BEXCO, and the hotels. On top of that, participants continuing directly to APEC SOM2 in Jeju after the event needed managed onward travel within Korea.
International events are hard to predict: overseas participants face frequent flight delays and schedule changes. High-level events also demand dignified protocol delivered reliably under complex conditions, while participant shuttles call for continuous monitoring and communication. Given the distances between venues and Busan's busy traffic environment, simply adding vehicles and staff was not enough to guarantee stable operations. The event needed a coherent, efficient transport system managing a wide-area network rather than a single city.
Designing the wide-area shuttle network
Headquartered in Busan, GroundK drew on a deep understanding of the local traffic environment and international event operations. We set a wide-area shuttle network — connecting Gimhae International Airport with BEXCO and the main Haeundae hotels — as the core strategy. This was not simple vehicle dispatch but a transport system engineered from route design through demand forecasting to flexible operation.
Our team analyzed Busan's traffic patterns by time of day, congestion points by segment, and the event schedule in advance, then built optimized operating plans for each route. Routes and operational detail were shaped to preserve the dignity of VIP protocol while meeting both stability and convenience.
Real-time control through VMS
At the heart of these operations was VMS (Vehicle Management System), developed in-house by GroundK. VMS integrates real-time vehicle tracking, operating-status monitoring, driver information management, traffic analysis, and per-participant trip scheduling into a single intelligent control solution built for responding to the unexpected.
On the ground, operators kept a fast, agile response posture, judging and acting quickly when disruptions arose. For time windows and segments where congestion was expected, we secured detour routes in advance through simulation and live monitoring, and stood ready to deploy backup vehicles the moment a situation developed. The result was uninterrupted transport across every segment, with markedly higher stability and predictability in protocol service.
Tailored protocol for senior officials
Flights carrying senior officials carry high uncertainty — departure delays, layover changes, shifting arrival times. GroundK ran a tracking system that linked and analyzed real-time flight data from major airports worldwide, continually updating each guest's protocol transport plan to keep responses optimal.
Each senior official was assigned a dedicated protocol specialist. When a flight schedule changed, we flexibly adjusted the departure time of the waiting airport vehicle and re-coordinated the accompanying staff and onward routes accordingly. From the moment of arrival to the close of the event, guests received seamless, tailored mobility without a single misstep. This was more than transport — it was a complete experience designed so participants felt a sense of national hospitality.
What this operation means
The Our Ocean Conference and Ministerial Meeting brought together GroundK's technology and operational know-how. Guests from more than 20 countries experienced dignified mobility from arrival to departure, helping showcase Korea's capacity to host international events.
Tailored protocol grounded in real-time flight data, combined with integrated control through VMS, kept transport stable even amid unpredictable conditions. The wide-area shuttle network spanning Busan maximized participant convenience while making efficient use of resources. GroundK continues to serve as core infrastructure that shapes the success of international events — not just a way to move people.
