Seoul’s meetings industry and Korea MICE Expo Show Signs of Rapid Growth
The three-day Korea MICE Expo (KME) in Seoul wrapped up with great promise for the future of the city’s meetings industry. The South Korean capital, recently ranked 5th in the world for hosting international conferences, successfully hosted the KME for the second year in a row – boasting increased growth each year. This year’s KME welcomed 100 international buyers and 205 domestic buyers, who met with 175 exhibitors at Coex. Previously in its 12-year history, the KME has rotated to different cities in South Korea. For 2010-2012 it has been confirmed to be hosted in Seoul for three consecutive years. With the expo’s steady growth and Seoul’s increased profile, the city looks forward to hosting the KME again in 2012.
Some of the highlights of this year’s KME included the Seoul MICE Forum and specialized destination presentations for buyers by the Seoul Tourism Organization. Key speakers at this year’s Seoul MICE Forum included Andy Nazarechuk, founding Dean of University of Nevada Las Vegas-Singapore, and former ICCA President Pieter van der Hoeven.
During his toast for buyers and VIP’s at the KME Welcoming Dinner Mr. van der Hoeven said, “I last came to Korea for the 2003 ICCA Congress. I believe the growth [of Korea’s meetings industry] really began after this.” He congratulated Seoul on becoming a top 5 convention city, and also proclaimed, “With this kind of growth, Seoul will one day be number one in the world. Van der Hoeven’s toast was followed by the inspiring performance of top Korean magician Eun Gyul Lee and the warm harmonies of the opera performance ensemble Operamica.
Building on the success of last year’s G-20 Seoul Summit, the city has taken continuous steps to further spur the development of its MICE industry. Seoul’s upcoming convention infrastructure were showcased at the KME exhibition floor, including the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the Floating Island, and the Korail Convention Center – set to more than double Seoul’s meetings capacity over the next few years.
With the goals of expanding the Korea MICE Expo and increasing the city’s attractiveness to buyers, the Seoul Tourism Organization signed an MOU with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau on the first day of the Korea MICE Expo. During the MOU opening remarks, CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) Mr. Hong Heegon stated, “With the signing of this MoU, the STO will work to expand the presence of Seoul in the Thai MICE market. Seoul proves to be a strong market for Thailand, so this is very much a mutually beneficial initiative.
The 2011 KME was organized by the Seoul Tourism Organization and the Korea MICE Alliance, and hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Tourism Organization.
