Goyang Destination Week 2025 Kicks Off
Industry Leaders from 36 Countries Gather in Goyang
Exploring Growth in the MICE Industry
Solidifying Its Status as a Global MICE Event
The opening ceremony of the 2025 Goyang Destination Week (GDW), hosted by Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Donghwan) and organized by Goyang Convention Bureau, was held on the 22nd at the Grand Ballroom of Sono Calm Goyang.
Lee Donghwan, mayor of Goyang Special City, is delivering the opening speech at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Goyang Destination Week (GDW). Provided by Goyang Special City
Now in its eighth year, Goyang Destination Week (GDW) is being held over four days from August 20 to 23 under the theme of "Seeking Growth in the MICE Industry."
The city is hosting the Goyang Destination Week (GDW) event to foster the MICE industry, one of its strategic sectors, and to strengthen its position as a global MICE city by promoting networking among international MICE organizations such as the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM).
At the opening ceremony, Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, "The MICE industry is a future strategic industry that goes beyond simple meetings and exhibitions to enhance the brand and value of a city. I hope that the knowledge, discourse, and vision shared at Goyang Destination Week (GDW) will serve as a foundation for the sustainable growth of Goyang Special City and the Asia-Pacific region."
He added, "Goyang Special City will organically promote the construction of the third KINTEX exhibition hall, the establishment of a smart city, and the designation of an economic free zone to complete an advanced infrastructure and a convergent ecosystem, further enhancing the city's competitiveness."
The International Destination Competitiveness Forum, held after the opening ceremony, featured two keynote speeches and four sessions.
The first keynote speech was delivered by David Blansfield, Executive Vice President of Northstar Travel Group, the world's largest business events media company, who spoke on the theme of "Seeking Growth in the MICE Industry."
Donghwan Lee, mayor of Goyang Special City, and other key attendees are taking a commemorative photo after the opening ceremony of the 2025 Goyang Destination Week (GDW). Provided by Goyang Special City
Following this, Executive Vice President Blansfield and Kim Chulwon, Chair of the GDW Organizing Committee (Professor Emeritus at Kyung Hee University), engaged in an in-depth discussion with Mayor Lee Donghwan on the vision and development strategies for Goyang's MICE industry.
In particular, Mayor Lee's participation added weight to the discussion on future strategies for Goyang's MICE industry, further enhancing the significance of the forum.
The forum featured renowned domestic and international MICE experts as speakers, moderators, and panelists, including Guy Bigwood, CEO of the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM); Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of Penang CVB, Malaysia; Mike Williams, CEO of Gaining Edge; Professor Kim Chulwon of Kyung Hee University; and Professor Hwang Heegon of Hallym University of Graduate Studies. They discussed a variety of topics, including the sustainability and technological advancement of the MICE industry and city branding strategies.
Meanwhile, Goyang Destination Week (GDW) has established itself as a leading global MICE event, having started in 2017 as the first international conference on destination marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, the number of participating countries and attendees continues to grow. This year as well, GDW is serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and international networking through various programs such as the Youth MICE Idea Contest, the International Destination Competitiveness Forum, and post-event tours.
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