Zhuhai chosen as top place for holding conferences

Organizers announced at the end of the 10th China Meetings Industry Convention held in Beijing on Dec 4-6 that Zhuhai is the best place with the best brand for holding MICE: meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.

The Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen Central Business District of Hengqin New Area, which has hosted many high-level international conferences, was named best of its kind in terms of services levels. Recently held, for instance, were the Free Trade Zone (Hengqin) Summit 2017 and the China-Israel Science & Technology Innovation Investment Summit.

Fu Rui, general manager of the center, was recognized as this year's "Most Deserving Leader for the MICE Award" while Dream Island on Dong'ao Island took the "Most Favored Resort Hotel" honor for 2017.

The awards, which recognized the winners' influence on Zhuhai's MICE industry, were presented before more than 3,000 elite leaders, including domestic and foreign experts and scholars as well as company representatives eager to interact with potential buyers.

Booth displaying the Zhuhai MICE image

Hosted by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development and the China Convention & Exhibition Society, this year's event was held at the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center. 

Major Zhuhai enterprises were organized by the Zhuhai Association of Convention, Exhibition & Tourism to present the city's recent industrial advances characterized by openness and innovation.

There were also representatives from Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xiamen promoting those cities as good destinations for MICE.

Zhuhai's leapfrog development in MICE services was demonstrated both at an exhibition and a promotion session focusing on new policies and other resources.

According to Zhou Zuode, director of the Zhuhai Convention & Expo Bureau, last year Zhuhai hosted 32 exhibitions and 2,982 meetings of various kinds, taking in direct and indirect revenues of 13.4 billion yuan ($2 billion) -- more than 6 percent of the city's GDP.

The performance was partly credited to the meeting industry's strong growth momentum and ability to make the most of the city's advantages including its recent organizational successes. Several of those were mentioned including the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Forum on International Communication & Chinese (Guangdong) Companies Going Global held from Nov 28 to 30, another high-profile event showing off the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center.

New policies and resources outlined 

Details of infrastructure construction relevant to the industry, suggesting the bright future it shares with the city, were also presented to meeting planners and potential purchasers.

The event took Zhuhai's brand to a higher level, an official said. As an important part of the high-end service sector, MICE promotes industrial innovation and modern services, and in doing so is helping Zhuhai mature as a core city on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary, he added.

Overview of Zhuhai MICE Industry [Photos by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]