“ON THE SAME DAY AS THE NEW A380 TOOK OFF INTO THE SKY to change the world of aviation, MPI landed in Singapore to make a difference for meeting and event professionals throughout Asia Pacific,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI president and CEO, in his October 2007 opening address at the MPI Asia Pacific office in Singapore.
The meeting industry is rapidly expanding worldwide. Economic and social developments in the Asia-Pacific region—which holds more than half of the world’s population—are fueling demand for meetings and events and the growth of infrastructure on the supply side. As the world’s largest community of meeting professionals, MPI recognizes that its community members will increasingly do business in this part of the world as globalization continues.
The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) and the Korea Convention Association partnered with MPI in recruiting members and establishing our first Asia-Pacific Chapter in Korea. Today the chapter has nearly 100 members and has already organized several events.
China also holds huge potential. In partnership with the Beijing Tourism Administration (BTA), MPI plans to accelerate its membership growth there, with the ultimate goal of establishing a chapter or chapters. Recognizing training as an essential key to the development of Beijing as a MICE destination, MPI has partnered with CIBTM to introduce a Global Certificate in Meeting Operations (GCMO) training course there in September.
Japan, with an established club under the leadership of Shin Asai, has added 13 new members in recent months. Several seminars were conducted across the country during the year, with strong support from CVBs and participants. The club, developing strongly, is well on its way to becoming a chapter.
Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) recently signed on to become the first Asian MPI Global Partner. In all, MPI Asia Pacific is supported by partners across the region, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, MCI, InterContinental Hotels Group, the STO, The Venetian Macao Hotel & Resort, The Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong, the Beijing Tourism Administration, Business Events Sydney and CIBTM.
Asia will have a strong presence at this year’s World Education Congress in Salt Lake City, with two tracks featuring a panel discussion on the current state and future of the Asia-Pacific meeting industry and planning meetings in Asia Pacific. An evening reception will give WEC attendees the opportunity to network with Asian members, and a partnership celebration will be held with BTA and MEHK.
In all, MPI Asia Pacific is growing steadily. With the support from its partners, MPI works closely to develop the market and create opportunities for its community members to extend business to a region that holds much promise.
MICHAEL TAY is MPI’s director of Asia Pacific operations. He may be contacted at mtay@mpiweb.org.