GroundK ran integrated protocol transport for the heads of state of 22 economies at APEC 2025 KOREA in Gyeongju. Around 500 vehicles and their crews were controlled through our own dispatch system, T-RiseUp PMS, with a dedicated car assigned to each VIP and real-time location data guiding every move — and the event closed without a single safety incident.
Why protocol transport reflects a nation
At international gatherings such as the Leaders' Meeting (AELM) and the Ministerial Meeting (AMM), where senior officials arrive in large numbers, protocol transport is far more than moving people from one place to another — it speaks directly to a host nation's standing. Hundreds of vehicles and crew members had to move as one, and at the center of that effort was GroundK's smart dispatch system, T-RiseUp.
Controlling roughly 500 vehicles at once
Through its own dispatch system, T-RiseUp, GroundK kept precise control over roughly 500 vehicles and their crews. The core idea was simple: assign a dedicated car to each VIP and hold to it. Even as schedules shifted by the minute, matching each guest to a pre-assigned vehicle removed dispatch confusion at the source. That approach cut needless commotion on site and let both crews and guests stay focused on the meetings themselves.
A system is only as good as the people running it. Every driver completed thorough training on the dedicated app before the event, turning system-based vehicle management into daily practice. As drivers shared their status through the app in real time, managers tracked all 500 vehicles from a single dashboard, running a clean digital workflow with no wasted resources.
Working in step with host protocol officers
Communication with the host's protocol officers (HELO), who stay closest to the leaders of all 22 economies, was another central task. GroundK selected drivers with deep protocol experience from its most seasoned crew, giving the HELO team steady, reliable support in both coordination and movement.
Preparation began well before the event. Starting 10 days before the leaders' arrival, the team carried out route surveys and simulations to be ready for each delegation. Because of that groundwork, even urgent requests in the early morning or late at night were handled without hesitation, supported by experienced crews and a clear understanding of the system.
The On-Time approach to tight staging areas
The Bomun district in Gyeongju and the main hotels, where senior officials gathered, had limited space for vehicles to wait. GroundK used T-RiseUp's real-time location data to stage vehicles remotely and bring them in only at the moment of boarding — an approach the team calls On-Time.
Even on a site where more than 6,000 people and a stream of vehicles converged, managers controlled the exact second each car entered. The result was a calm, wait-free ride for participants and a secure, uncongested environment for the event organizers.
Trust proven by data
For GroundK, the protocol transport at APEC 2025 KOREA meant more than finishing a project. Carrying a responsibility of national weight and completing the event without a single safety incident was possible thanks to the organizers who trusted our technology and field operations, and to every crew member who gave their best out of sight. Beyond the relief of a clean finish, we take real pride in helping show the world what Korean protocol can do.
GroundK will keep advancing RIDEUS and T-RiseUp — the systems behind this result — to grow from a transport company into a technology partner shaping the global MICE mobility market. Our work of raising the standard of movement, and making our clients' time count, continues.
