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Year End MICE CONNECTION: the symposium of MICE professionals
On December 17th, the MPI Japan Chapter will be holding an assembly with the symposium on the subject of “Year End MICE CONNECTION.”
The first portion is titled “In order for Japan’s MICE to raise international competitiveness”, and Mr. Makito Takami, the councillor in charge of MICE at the Japan Tourism Agency, will be holding a special lecture.
At the second portion’s panel discussion, with Ms. Makiko Yamamoto, the MPI’s president, as a moderator, the J Team’s Mr. Geraint Holt, congress’s Ms. Kayo Nomura, and Hilton World Sales’ Mr. Yoris Vanzieleghem will go on the platform. With “Issues and lessons that the MICE professionals consider on scene” as the theme, motions based on several experiences will be suggested.
For more tails see attached document.
“Food and Health Zone” installed as a measure for the elderly and lifestyle diseases
Scheduled to be held next May, “ifia JAPAN” for food ingredients and additives, “HFE JAPAN” for healthy foods and functional material announced to set up “Food and Health Zone” that focuses on the foods good for the elderly and lifestyle disease.
The zone is expected to provide useful information and suggestions about brand-new foods that help the elderly keep their health. Also, foods for patients, especially for those suffering from lifestyle diseases are planned to be displayed. Moreover, all the foods on display will surely fulfill the new standards established for nutrient meals, easy-to-swallow meals, and sticky meals.
Moreover, care foods based on the national uniform standards which was enforced newly and foods which target lifestyle-related diseases will be exhibited.
Website: http://www.ifiajapan.com/
Mr. Yoshiaki Nakamura from Don Quijote Co., Ltd. Made a Proposal on Inbound Businesses
Yamatogokoro Inc. is holding “Inbound Business Forum” at Roppongi Academyhills on December 5th; and at Osaka Cent. Public Hall on December 10th. Mr. Yoshiaki Nakamura, who is Don Quijote’s project leader of their inbound businesses, will speak on the subject – “What to do now for Japan being a Tourism-Oriented Country as a part of Asia’s Mega Cities of Tourism Exchange.”
In this November, he just published a book, “Don Quijote’s Challenge for Tourism-Oriented Country”, for people who also work for inbound businesses. In that book, he writes Don Quijote’s approaches for inbound businesses and makes a proposal for Japan being a tourism-oriented country.
In the speech, he will be giving us a review on the circumstances of inbound businesses in 2012 and speaking about what kind of next step we should take for inbound businesses by overcoming various issues.
Besides Mr. Nakamura, in the forum of East Japan (Roppongi Academyhills), Mr. Satoshi Ishikawa, the manager of Venus Fort of Mori Building Co., Ltd., will speak on the subject – “Mori Building’s Consideration on Inbound Businesses.” And in the forum of West Japan (Osaka Cent. Public Hall), Mr. Kenji Ijiri from the International Tourism Division, Tourism Planning Department of Kinki Transport Bureau, will be speaking too.
For participation in the forum or inquiries, please check the website of the forum.
https://www.yamatogokoro.jp/forum/20121119/
SPORTEC, an exhibition for sports and fitness is curtain-up
“SPORTEC” and “Health Food and Supplement EXPO”, an exhibition for items related to sports, fitness and health foods, has opened at Tokyo Big Sight on Nov. 21 to Nov. 23.
Over 230 companies from around the world are exhibited. Products and technologies such as diet-related products from body-building training tools to metabolic countermeasures, anti-oxidants and ant-fatigue countermeasure foods to overcome a stressful society, and locomotive syndrome countermeasure items targeting the ageing society will all be obtainable for personal use.
In addition to seminars with specialists for each area, countless events like group exercise are planned, and the exhibition will be one where exhibition-goers will be able to personally experience and sense everything.
Hong Kong Stationery Fair’s hotel sponsorship program for the buyer
Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced its hotel sponsorship program for the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair 2013 to be held from January 7th 2013 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, and started accepting registration.
The exhibition brings together all the sectors related to stationary products. Last year, 210 companies exhibited their products and some 15,000 buyers participated from all over the world. The show coincides with the Hong Kong Toy & Games Fair and the Hong Kong International Licensing show. It provides buyers in the related industry with a great number of new business opportunities, and it is definitely worthwhile participating.
The hotel sponsorship program offers discount rates to new buyers who stay in a hotel partnered with Messe Frankfrut (HK) according to the number of days they participate in the Fair. Visitors who participate for one day will get HK$900 allowance, and those who take part in for 2 says will receive HK$1,500, people who attend for 3 days will enjoy a grant of HK$2,100. This benefit only applies to one room per hotel per company.
In addition, Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair, the official airliners of the Fair, have also prepared special arrangements for those who attend the event.
UFI held 79th general convention in UAE
The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) held its 79th general convention on November 7th and 8th at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in UAE. 475 people, a largest number in its history, from 55 countries attended the convention. The association welcomed 36 organizations as new members in past year and now holds 612 organizations from 85 countries which is a largest number in its history.
“The fact that we have increased our members in this hard economic environment is a proof that the support we provide is highly valued by those who are in the exhibition industry”, said Mr. Paul Woodward, a managing director of UFI.
At the convention, Mr. XianJin Chen, president of Chinese Association of the Exhibition Industry, was appointed to be a new chairman of UFI. He is a first UFI chairman from Asia/China. Currently, approximately 15% of UFI members are Chinese companies and organizations. The study conducted by the association also shows that infrastructure investment in exhibition industry is concentrated in China, accounting 46% of worldwide increase in exhibition floor space. In addition, many international exhibition companies are now expanding and succeeding in China. The appointment of Mr. Chen for a chairman impressed Chinese presence in the global exhibition industry.
Next (80th) general convention will be held from November 13th to 16th next year in Seoul, Korea.
Japanese food show held in Marina Bay Sands
“Oishii Japan 2012,” which introduced Japanese food and the related business to the Southeast Asia market, was held from November 1 through November 3 in Singapore.
The fair provided companies and organizations with the opportunity for business talks and sales promotions. Twenty-seven prefectures from Japan and 220 Singaporean companies and organizations exhibited in, and 5,096 people visited the fair.
During the fair, a special event called “Niigata Sake Battle,” where more than 100 kinds of sake from Niigata can be tasted, was also held at the nearby restaurant One on the Bund, bringing many people in the Japanese food industry and Japanese food lovers together.
Oishii Japan is held with a focus on the overall business which is related to the Japanese meals and foodstuffs, such as the Japanese cuisine, noodles (ramen, udon, soba), sake & beverages, sweets, tableware & cookware, food processors, and franchisors, all of which draw attention as a “Cool Japan” from the world.
The fair aims to contribute to increase the number of foreign visitors to Japan. So it supports the earthquake disaster reconstruction from overseas and tells the world of the scientifically-proved safety and security of the food as well as its deliciousness through business talks between exhibitors and buyers, in order to promote exports, popularity and inspiration of the Japanese food and its food culture.
A briefing session on Yokohama MICE was held in Kansai area
Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB) held a briefing session on Yokohama MICE 2012 in Kansai on Nov. 8. Yokohama MICE promotion team held a session to introduce Yokohama’s fabulousness, inviting convention management companies (PCOs) and travel companies in Kansai area.
The session was started by opening greetings by Mr. Yamauchi from YCVB and Mr. Amemiya, manager of convention promotion division at Yokohama city tourist bureau. They were followed by a briefing on Yokohama MICE support by Mr. Nomoto, senior convention sales staff at YCVB. The briefing covered the support programs provided by the city, such as financial aid for promotion which was included in the Yokohama MICE support plan, provision of attractions, financial aid for lodgment of speakers from overseas, and excursion, etc. 33 cases have been supported during 2012.
YCVB interlocks with the Japan MICE Year which has been promoted by Japanese government, and collaborates with MICE service providers that have proven track record. It also founded Yokohama City MICE promotion team with 76 service providers in April 2010 to promote a city-wide effort for MICE. Since then it has expanded its support scope and promoted MICE visitors to tour around the city.
As a new effort in its third year, it held the “Yokohama MICE Briefing Session 2012 in Kansai” to bring further MICE activities to Yokohama. As a result, they now see increased number of sales from Kansai area.
JACE’s new chairman: Mr. Narita of Hakuhodo
Japan Association for the Promotion of Creative Events (JACE) held an extraordinary general meeting on Nov. 7.
This meeting is about the amendment in articles of association, for transition to General Incorporated Associations from 2013. Reflecting the result from the general meeting, JACE is planning to submit an application to the Cabinet Office to being authorized as an general incorporated associations by April 1st, 2013.
In the change process, it is also included to add “Associate Membership” to the existing “Regular Membership” and “Sponsor membership”. “Associate Member” is to be the corporations or individuals involved in the event management industry who do not have a business place in Tokyo Metropolitan Area. The addition is in order to respond to the local needs for our membership service. For Associate Membership, admission fee is 10,000 Yen and annual fee is 60,000 Yen per year.
Mr. Narita, new chairman, is also an executive director of the Event Society so even stronger relationship with the society is expected. Mr. Narita was a director of TV and radio division at Hakuhodo, leading its media marketing. Later on he was promoted to be an executive managing director, assuming the critical role as a head of sales. His leadership in utilizing media and promoting more collaboration is expected at JACE, as JACE will be facing an important transition period to become a general incorporated association.
Photo – New chairman Junji Narita (left) and Deputy chairman Masaru Watanabe (right)