The Chinese city of Chengdu continues to make its mark on the meetings world, most recently securing the title of “most innovative MICE city” at a Beijing meetings forum.
The Sichuan capital was named "Most Innovative International MICE City of 2016" at the 9th China Meetings Industry Convention (CMIC2016), jointly organised by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development (BMCTD) and the China Convention/Exhibition/Event Society (CCEES). The conference, which took place on November 9, celebrates the achievements of cities, organisations and individuals in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions sector.
This success came just weeks after another. Chengdu also nabbed a top five spot on the China Convention and Exhibition Society’s (CCES) first MICE competitiveness rankings, unveiled at the end of October at the High-level Academic Forum 2016. The index measures the competitiveness of China’s convention and exhibition industry on a city-by-city basis.
China industry body unveils MICE competitiveness index
A strong 2016
Chengdu was thrust into the international spotlight in July by hosting the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting – marking the event’s debut into Western China.
In addition to this milestone, the Chinese city drew a number of global events in 2016, including the Western China International Fair (WCIF), the 22nd World Route Development Forum, and the 2016 China (Chengdu) Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair.
As of November 15, the city had hosted 505 large conferences and exhibitions this year, including 122 international events. Total revenue from the conference and exhibition industry stood at RMB71.2 billion (about US$10.3bn), up 12.8 per cent year on year.
Venue and accessibility
Complimenting the city’s existing venues, including the one million sqm Chengdu Century City New International Convention & Exhibition Center (CCNICEC), the Western China International Expo Center was completed in August 2016.
The centre, which will serve as the permanent floor for the Western China International Fair, houses 16 halls in eight pavilions across 300,000 sqm of space.
The opening will allow Chengdu to break new ground in 2017 by hosting the largest professional exhibition in Midwestern China to date – the 18th International Furniture Fair Chengdu, spanning 250,000sqm across both venues.
Other significant developments include the construction of a second airport – Chengfu Tianfu International Airport – which is due to be completed in 2019 for operations beginning the following year.
Main picture: Chengdu Century City New International Convention & Exhibition Center
