BRIGHT FUTURE

Shanghai, the glitziest city in mainland China, has been working hard at polishing its allure as one of Asia's key venues for meetings and events for many years now. In the leadup to hosting the World Expo in 2010, construction has reached a frenetic pace. More event space is being added - the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) is set to expand before 2010, and the Shanghai World Financial Centre, slated for completion next year, will also offer convention facilities. Meanwhile, the government is spending US$2.3 billion on World Expo Park, which will cover 5.3 sq km. Last year, the city hosted 257 international trade shows. One of the larger ones was the China International Travel Mart, held last November at SNIEC. Organisers say there were 4,100 exhibitors from 91 countries and regions, and more than 75,000 visitors over four days. BIG MULTINATIONALS Several multinationals have held meetings and incentive trips in the city recently. "Shanghai offers great air access, quality hotels and venues for events, and is easier on the ground for logistics," says Craig Walter, director of Unique Meetings & Incentives Australia. In November last year, Amway Australia/New Zealand conducted a business seminar in Shanghai with 478 attendees. The company's event manager, Renato Fabbro, says, "Shanghai is a magical city that is like no other in China." PricewaterhouseCoopers regularly holds events in Shanghai. Last year, its Global Transfer Pricing Conference brought together 460 delegates from 40 countries. This year, PwC is also expecting to hold a number of client events and internal meetings for local and international audiences in Shanghai, according to PwC Asia marketing leader, Cynara Tan. "At PwC, we are always looking at taking our client events to a new level, and a number of hotels in Shanghai have excellent facilities," she says.