FRANKFURT – Fukuoka City in Japan and Davao in southern Philippines will be exhibiting for free at IMEX Frankfurt 2013, both cities winning the show's coveted Wild Card Competition.
Fukuoka festival
The incentive programme offers aspiring MICE entrants the chance to showcase at no cost, their services and attractions alongside established destinations and suppliers. They will be based at the Wild Card Pavilion during IMEX Frankfurt 2013, enjoying full publicity, social media posting and other marketing support. Previous Wild Card winners have included El Salvador, Budva (Montenegro), Mongolia, Poznan (Poland) and Uganda.
For the second year, the winners will benefit from expertise provided by GainingEdge. The company has committed to furnish advice on maximising the return from the IMEX prescheduled appointment system, as well as how to make the most of participation in an international trade event.
To land the top spot, applicants are required to justify their potential either as a MICE destination or a new convention centre. They are also expected to demonstrate sufficient infrastructure and skill to support their ambition to be a player in the field. They should never have previously exhibited at a global trade show is the last criteria.
Kadayawan festival performers, Davao
"There is no better way to commend Fukuoka as a rising Japanese destination to the international MICE industry," Ryoko Baba, international relations coordinator, Fukuoka Convention and Visitors Bureau, commented. "It is often described as a well-hidden gem…To create an atmosphere of a city-wide welcome, the convention bureau and the government try to involve the citizens in MICE events, an approach which has so far gone well.
"Taking advantage of being the closest Japanese metropolis to Asia, we have been successful with the conventions which expect more participants from the Asia-Pacific."
Art Boncato, regional director, Department of Tourism Davao, said: "It is a rare opportunity for our destination to be given attention on the global MICE stage. This will definitely firm up our mission to work very hard in making Davao a serious MICE player."
For more, visit www.imex-frankfurt.com
Margie T Logarta
