ASIA – The Japanese government has handed this year’s International Meetings Exhibition (IME 2012) to trade publisher Nikkei Business Publications.
The event, organised jointly by the Japan Tourism Agency, Japan Congress Convention Bureau (JCCB) and Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), takes place at the Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho on 11-12 December.
Nikkei’s involvement in planning and operations follows its move into event management from purely print business publishing. East Asia’s economic development has led to rapid growth in the MICE sector, and an increase in the number of major events being established by major international event organisers.
It is hoped the 2012 edition of IME will position MICE as an industry in itself. The event is being held for the 22nd time, and is expected to draw about 3,000 people from the industry.
According to Union of International Associations data on the number of international conferences, Japan rose from fifth place in 2009 to second in 2010, behind only the US. However, competition has intensified in recent years as more nations recognise the MICE market’s growth potential.
Nikkei is one of the traditional publishers now looking to tap into this live events sector and is preparing to host several new events.
A spokesman for IME told CMW the MICE market is expected to show considerable growth in the future. “The time is ripe to strength Japan’s competitiveness, and attract key business people and tourists from around the world,” he commented.
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Japan International Meetings Exhibition handed to Nikkei Business Publications to run
