2nd Korea Tourism Policy Awards 'Tourism Industry Category' Grand Prize
Mayor Lee, "Creating High Added Value in the Region through the MICE Industry"
On the 14th, Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, received the ‘2nd Korea Tourism Policy Award’ from Lee Yeon-taek, President of the Korean Tourism Policy Research Association, at the City Hall External Cooperation Office.
On the 14th, Lee Gang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, received the "2nd Korea Tourism Policy Award" from Lee Yeon-taek, President of the Korean Tourism Policy Research Association (left), at the City Hall External Cooperation Office.
Pohang City was recognized for its innovative MICE industry development policy and was selected as the grand prize winner in the tourism industry category at the ‘2nd Korea Tourism Policy Award’ hosted and organized by the Korean Tourism Policy Research Association (President Lee Yeon-taek, Honorary Professor at Hanyang University) in September.
After the award ceremony, a roundtable discussion was held with experts including Mayor Lee Kang-deok, President Lee Yeon-taek, Professor Kim Bong-seok of Kyung Hee University’s Department of Convention and Exhibition Management, and Director Kim Hyang-ja of the Local Impact Research Institute to discuss the development direction for the innovative growth of Pohang-style MICE industry.
During the discussion, topics included ▲development of region-specific MICE events linked to new growth industries ▲attracting international conferences to build global networks ▲MICE city branding through cooperation and convergence ▲and fostering local MICE talent, all aimed at advancing Pohang’s MICE industry policies.
President Lee Yeon-taek stated, “Pohang has sufficient environmental conditions to become the number one city for the MICE industry in Korea,” adding, “Compared to other cities, Pohang has many attractive elements and stories, and if these are well utilized, it can grow into a successful model for innovative MICE industry development.”
Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “We will create high added value in the region by linking Pohang International Exhibition & Convention Center (POEX) with Pohang’s cultural, tourism, and artistic foundations,” and added, “We will strive to establish networks with world-renowned scholars and the international community so that Pohang can serve as a stepping stone to the global stage, and through this, we will surely succeed in rebranding Pohang as a MICE industry city.”
In July, Pohang City broke ground on the Pohang International Exhibition & Convention Center (POEX), which will serve as the core hub of the MICE industry and a landmark of the city.
The center is planned to be built on a 26,608㎡ site of the former U.S. military Camp Liberty in Jangseong-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang, with six floors from one basement level to five above ground, totaling a gross floor area of 63,818㎡. Key facilities include a 7,183㎡ exhibition hall, a convention hall capable of accommodating about 2,000 people simultaneously, 11 medium and small conference rooms, as well as citizen rest areas, commercial and office facilities. The center is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
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