Launch of the 'Songpa-gu MICE Industry Support Committee'

Listening Closely to Experts' Voices to Develop Songpa as a Global MICE City

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) held an appointment ceremony on the 9th for the 'Songpa-gu MICE Industry Support Committee,' which will provide advice on fostering the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry in Songpa-gu.

In preparation for the creation of the Jamsil Sports Complex International Exchange Complex District in the area of 10 Jamsil-dong, scheduled for completion in 2025, the district enacted the 'Ordinance on the Promotion of the MICE Industry in Songpa-gu, Seoul' (enforced on July 9, 2020).

Based on this, the MICE Industry Support Committee was formed and operated this year to foster the MICE industry and strengthen competitiveness.

The Songpa-gu MICE Industry Support Committee consists of 15 experts with extensive knowledge and experience from various fields, including MICE-related organizations such as the Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Foundation, and the Korea Healing Industry Association, which are key players in the Korean MICE industry; professors from MICE-related departments specializing in convention exhibition fields, MICE global expert training, tourism policy, and cultural content; as well as MICE industry workers, media professionals, and legal experts.

The committee will serve as a central point for discovering and promoting Songpa-gu's specialized MICE industry, nurturing MICE talent, public relations, attracting MICE tourists, supporting companies, and building internal and external cooperative relationships.

Mayor Park Seong-su stated, “The MICE industry, which organically integrates with various industries to create high added value, is expected to greatly contribute to the development of our district's tourism industry, direct and indirect employment increases, and revitalization of the local economy.” He added, “We expect the Songpa-gu MICE Industry Support Committee to lay the foundation for transforming Songpa-gu into an international MICE industry hub.”

Meanwhile, Seoul ranked 3rd among international conference hosting cities based on UIA standards and was selected as the best MICE city for five consecutive years (Global Traveler Awards 2015?2019), establishing itself as a world-class professional MICE city.

The MICE industry is a representative high value-added tourism industry with significant economic ripple effects and job creation, making competition for attracting it fierce.

Accordingly, Songpa-gu is preparing to leap forward as a new MICE central city leading Seoul's MICE industry in response to changing domestic and international industrial conditions.