In the 20 years since it hosted the Olympic Games, Seoul’s determination to become a tourist destination and a major global convention city has taken it to sixth in the International Congress & Convention Associations (ICCA) rankings and 11th in the Union of International Association’s
ratings in 2006.
The numbers alone are impressive, but earlier this year a new goal was set: to become one of the world’s top five convention cities by 2010. Seoul now has a new organisation to promote its assets as a conferences, meetings and incentives destination – Seoul Tourism Marketing.
One of Seoul’s greatest assets is COEX Convention & Exhibition Centre, Seoul’s biggest convention centre and almost a city within itself.
The convention hall alone can host 7,000 delegates and there are a further 50 meeting rooms. Last year, COEX hosted a number of conventions for more than 2,000 delegates, including the 35th World Hospital Federation Congress.
It is also the venue of choice for incentive groups such as Symantec’s regional meeting last July, which drew 1,000 delegates from around Asia to Seoul for a sales conference and incentive.
INCENTIVE OPTIONS
Kim Dae-Hong, managing director of DMC Holiday Planners, says Seoul has many unique
incentive options and that Korea is small enough for delegates in Seoul to add two-day
post-conference tours to beach resorts in Jeju in summer, or skiing in the winter.
Kim says first-time visitors to Korea always say they are impressed by the country’s cleanliness and efficiency. “They are surprised that it’s different, not ‘just like China’, and they enjoy the variety of Korean food,” he says.
The Korea International Exhibition Centre (Kintex) opened in 2005 with 54,500 sqm of pillarless exhibition space. Kintex cut its teeth on organising exhibitions and conferences for local car manufacturing and electronics. It is now looking to attract international business and also plans to
expand its entertainment options.
Seoul-based PCO, Intercom Convention Services, handles up to 30 events a year and specialises in financial and medical events. This month, Intercom will hold the IPA Publishers conference that is expected to attract 1,500 delegates.
“One of the largest events this year will be the 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work,” says Joyce Kim, assistant manager, communications, of the Strategic Planning Department.
The government-backed exhibition and conference is expected to bring more than 2,500 international delegates to COEX next month.
SEOUL'S NEW GOALS
The Korean capital has launched a new organisation to promote its assets as a MICE destination as it strives to become a top five convention city by 2010. By Ruth Williams
