CHANGING LANDSCAPE IN MICE RECOGNITION
The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), the national apex body focused on promoting India as an attractive MICE destination, organised its flagship event, the 14th Conventions India Conclave, from December 7-9, 2023, at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat. The event, supported by Gujarat Tourism, brought together domestic and international stakeholders on a single dynamic platform with a series of insightful sessions and varied business opportunities.
The 14th Conventions India Conclave returned after a gap of four years, and this three-day event served as a strategic initiative to position India as a leading choice for MICE. The conclave delved into various crucial topics pertinent to the industry and featured a series of insightful sessions and meaningful interactions contributing to knowledge-sharing and fostering collaboration within the MICE and tourism sectors. This convergence also facilitated and presented a plethora of business opportunities for all participants.
Along with the representatives from 50 corporate entities, hotel chains, and convention centres across India, around 250 more delegates actively participated in the conclave. The global representation from countries such as the USA, Argentina, France, Greece, Cyprus, Mexico, and more highlighted the event's international significance, contributing to the exchange of ideas and fostering collaborations on a global scale. The Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, as the chosen venue, provided a conducive environment for such a showcase.
The event commenced with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurating the conclave. He emphasised that with the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit initiative and the visionary leadership of PM Modi, India is now being positioned as a leading global MICE destination, and Gujarat is well on its way to becoming the preferred choice for the MICE industry. There were notable speeches from Mulubhai Bera, Minister of Tourism; Hareet Shukla, Secretary of Tourism; and Amaresh Tiwari, Vice Chairman, ICPB.
Amaresh Tiwari provided insights into the role of ICPB and offered a comprehensive overview of the current global scenario in the MICE sector, along with its potential. Highlighting that MICE is an 800-billiondollar industry globally, he pointed out that India's current contribution is less than one per cent. Acknowledging this gap, there has been a concerted effort, guided by PM Modi, to develop the MICE sector in India. The day concluded with captivating folk dance performances representing various regions of Gujarat. Before that, the ICPB Hall of Fame Award was presented posthumously to the late Shri Girish Kwatra.
With the Convention’s theme, “Sustainable MICE: Empowering events towards a $5 trillion economy,” the notable sessions on the first and second days featured at the CIC included discussions on "Meet in India," positioning India as a prime MICE destination and exploring the cultural, natural, and heritage aspects influencing MICE potential. Topics also encompassed sustainable practices, gender equality for future empowerment, sustainability in the tourism industry, sponsorship and bidding opportunities for major conferences in India, enhancing attendees' experiences, supply-driven MICE competitiveness in India, and leveraging modern technology (AI) to accelerate MICE industry growth.
In his concluding remarks, during the valedictory session, Hareet Shukla affirmed unwavering support from Gujarat Tourism, assuring that the state government would actively collaborate to propel Gujarat to the forefront of MICE destinations in India. Shukla emphasised a commitment to providing comprehensive assistance to the MICE industry, signalling a determined and aggressive pursuit of excellence in this sector.
Overall, Gujarat Tourism played a pivotal role as the host state, providing substantial support for the event. With the support, CIC showcased the state as an attractive destination for meetings and events, leveraging its unique offerings and infrastructure. Gujarat's strategic efforts are positioning it as a premier MICE destination, with plans to host significant events in the future. The success highlights Gujarat Tourism's impactful strides in advancing the MICE sector, aligning with its vision for regional tourism development.
The collaboration between ICPB and Gujarat Tourism underscored the commitment to the growth and development of the MICE industry in India. It was also decided at the convention to establish ICPB’s Gujarat chapter within a set timeframe, develop a criterion to categorise convention venues, and introduce national MICE awards to acknowledge excellence across all categories of MICE stakeholders. The conclave witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), symbolising a commitment to provide renewed impetus and direction to the MICE industries in Gujarat.