Meeting new-economy conference needs
Hangzhou is stepping up efforts to become a destination for conferences dedicated to new economies. Last month it held a promotion in Beijing, the largest source of its existing clients.
The event, sponsored by the city’s cultural and tourism authority, with the theme “Hangzhou Plus,” showcased what it has to offer.
Some 60 national associations and 30 professional conference organizers took part. Some 18 Hangzhou companies and hotels were present.
Both sides engaged in face-to-face discussions to ascertain and meet needs.
The rise of the digital economy, fintech, biomedicine and cultural innovation are providing new opportunities in the conference marketplace.
Hangzhou has a lot to offer the world.
It has a major academic presence. Colleges and research institutes such as Zhejiang University, Westlake University and Alibaba DAMO Academy for Discovery, Adventure, Momentum and Outlook have recruited many skilled staff.
The city has also been rated as one of the most attractive Chinese cities by skilled foreign workers for nine consecutive years.
That talent pool and academic strength have helped attract many high-end academic meetings.
Hangzhou International Expo Center General Manager Tang Xue said comprehensive facilities and good service will meet clients’ needs.
Hangzhou now has nine areas where there are hotels focusing on MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). These include the West Lake, Hubin, Qianjiang New Town, Xixi Wetland and Qiandao Lake.
There are also six large professional exhibition centers as well as 10 special towns with meeting equipment such as Cloud Town.
There are more than 30 meeting venues that have an area of more than 1,000 square meters, which can be tailored for a grand conference or separate meeting sessions.
The city has many historic and
scenic attractions.
There is an efficient and mature transportation network. Hangzhou is accessible by more than 200 flights home and abroad through the international airport in Xiaoshan.
A direct flight from Beijing takes only two hours. Hangzhou is only 45 minutes away from Shanghai by high-speed train.
The application of the smart “city brain” has eased traffic congestion, while 10 subway lines will become operational by the 2022 Asian Games.
Upgrades are also in place to expand cooperation in the conference business.
Since the G20 Summit in 2016, the city has become more professional and international in providing services.
A standard was released in 2017 for conference service providers, while relevant assessments are carried out regularly.
The municipal government provides subsidies.
In the bidding stage for an international academic conference, the cost of the participants’ transportation, accommodation and bid file will be covered at 15 percent, with an upper limit of 50,000 yuan (US$6,961) for a single event.
During the event, the organizer will be subsidized with 50 percent of the venue rent for an international conference. More details will be available on the official website (www.micehangzhou.com.)
Tour packages have been designed as prizes for conference-goers.
They include three world cultural heritage sites in Hangzhou, the West Lake, Grand Canal and ancient site of Liangzhu City, as well as intangible cultural heritages such as seal engraving and the ancient Chinese zither.
This is also part of an effort by the local government to further combine culture and tourism.
The city is now all-in to appeal to quality conference organizers, build its brand image and expand cooperation.
Later in October, a promotion centered on the enterprise conference market will take place, with more surprises expected.