The Seoul Metropolitan Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the city’s competitiveness a MICE destination by pledging its continued support to the Seoul MICE Alliance (SMA) at its annual meeting.
Speaking at the alliance’s November gathering, Eui Seung Kim, general director of tourism and sports for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said that “Seoul city and the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) will continue to firmly support the partnership and the opinions of the alliance’s members”, given the role the SMA has played in the growth of Seoul’s MICE industry.
The alliance, which recently acquired 36 new members, aims to improve cooperation between government and private enterprises.
This year’s meeting drew 324 attendees from the alliance’s member organisations, and was the closing feature of the 2016 Seoul MICE Week – an annual festival designed to promote the MICE industry in Korea.
Seoul alliance strengthens ranks with new members
Evening highlights
The history and achievements of the SMA were reviewed throughout the evening, showing that the alliance had attracted a total of 450 international meetings with some 390,000 international participants since its establishment in 2008. Attendees heard that international delegate spend over this period amounts to approximately KRW1.5 trillion (about US$1.3bn).
During his opening speech, Byungtae Kim, president for Seoul Tourism Organization, said the “diligent and continual efforts” of the alliance’s members helped Seoul to achieve a 3rd place ranking on this year’s annual international meetings city ranking by the Union of International Associations (UIA).
Jin-hyeok Park, director of the Seoul Tourism Organization’s Convention Bureau, recalled the year’s highlights in his speech, including the regular SMA working-level meetings, overseas joint marketing and advertisement efforts, co-hosting of local events and site inspections, and co-participation in exhibitions and trade shows abroad.
The 36 newest members of the SMA and the alliance’s newly elected divisional representatives were also introduced during the meeting.
The evening featured an awards ceremony, performances from Jeongdong Theater group (below), a lucky draw and a prize-giving contest, with categories including best-dressed and keenest business card collector.
First time participant Tae-rim Kim, assistant manager at O'ngo Food Communications, said “the gathering of member organisations across various sectors was valuable not only in the sharing of information but a refreshing outlook to the future of Seoul’s MICE industry”.
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