How sexy is the MICE industry?

Lately I have been attending a trade fair somewhere in the wide world. It struck me like a flash: "How sexy is the MICE industry?". Looking at large scale trade fairs (not MICE!) all over the world, you will find plenty of beautiful people dressed up according to their marketing campaign representing their products or services. I know, we are doing the same but looking at the photo it still looks slightly different at another fair. We are a sexy industry with amazing products and services but when are we starting to show it?

This is not a question of cheap marketing but rather a question of being proud about what we are doing and making the most out of it.

What do you think? Write me a comment...

MICE conference calendar

The first ever conference and event calendar dedicated solely to the worldwide MICE industry is now available online on www.miceconferences.com.

Plenty of conferences, seminars, workshops and trade shows dedicated to the meetings industry are featured on this calendar. By clicking on an event title you will find further helpful details about the event including contact details of the organizer. Events and conferences listed include also those of MPI and SITE. To visit the MICE calendar simply go to www.miceconferences.com.

The Gulf's fastest MICE venue

Welcome to the world's premier motorsport facility - the most modern, user-friendly and exciting venue in the high-speed, high-tech, high-adrenaline industry on the planet!

What truly sets BIC apart in the Gulf is the amazing variety of facilities and services it has to offer.

In tandem with the numerous unique activities, BIC is able to offer there are a number of elegantly appointed and excellently equipped facilities, suitable for any event or occasion.

All of these facilities are contained within BIC, the Home of Motorsports in the Middle East and the venue of choice for those who have a true understanding and appreciation of real quality.

Exquisite cuisine, extraordinary service

From a full banquet to something as simple as a tray of canapés at a much more intimate celebration, we recognize the crucial role catering has to play in the success of any occasion.

All catering at the circuit is provided by Kafer, the well established and internationally acclaimed German company that lists the German Bunderstag and the FIFA World Cup as two of it's internationally recognized clients. In keeping with a venue that is truly international, highly skilled chefs are more than happy to create menus tailor-made to suit the needs of any size and type of function.

Kafer professionalism also extends beyond cuisine to the quality and etiquette of their serving staff. The end result is an experience that would not be out of place in the world's finest restaurants.

Conferencing & Exhibitions

While BIC is first and foremost the Home of Motorsports in the Middle East, racing isn't the only business to be conducted at BIC, it is also the ideal venue to stage conferences and exhibitions.

BIC boasts facilities ideal for conferences involving 10 or 10,000 delegates. Having been designed to play host to the massive media interest in Formula One, BIC's audio-visual and other electronic facilities are truly state-of-the-art. All our venues benefit from this superb technology and infrastructure.

All conferences and exhibitions are also fully serviced for catering with our catering partner, Kafer.

The circuit benefits from its own in-house Hotel & Transportation Department and the BIC team can manage every facet of your event; from booking flights and hotels to arranging transfers for delegates and visitors.

Product Launches

There isn't a product on the planet that couldn't use a little of the style and glamour associated with Formula One to grace its launch.

Easily accessible from anywhere in the Gulf and the Middle East, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the BIC makes this more than possible with a range of venues that enable any product, from a car to a cold drink, to be launched in spectacular style.

A key part of any launch is ensuring media interest and coverage. In this respect BIC facilities, able to handle the media coverage of a Grand Prix, are truly to none.

The end result is a launch where your guests and the visiting media have their every need taken care of. It is without a doubt the perfect way to ensure a perfect first impression of your product.

Why Iceland is a MICE destination

Iceland with its exotic beauty and inspired, fun loving people has never been hotter. Increasing number of companies and corporations around the globe, particularly those keen to try something new, are choosing Iceland when it comes to holding meetings and conferences. And for good reason, as I have discovered during my trip last week.

Iceland’s meeting and conference facilities are top-class, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed with friendly professionals that are skilled in making every event a success. Reykjavik’s culture and nightlife has been the focus of much international media attention in recent years. The city is known for its vibrant cultural energy and has become a real ´Festival City´ during weekends.

If Iceland’s incredible nature is what you are seeking, you might be hard pressed to choose between the magical season of the midnight sun in summer, or the enchanting Northern Lights in winter. Yet what ever the season, few places can match Iceland when it comes to uniqueness and diversity of activities, hence the country’s popularity among planners of incentive tours. With an array of activities such as skiing, white-water rafting, horse riding, hiking, glacier tours and whale watching, not to mention exploring caves, playing golf in the midnight sun or touring the highlands in super jeeps … how could such a tour miss it´s mark? And with tour operators who have years of experience in Icelandic conditions, you can rest assured that every precaution is taken to ensure the safety – and enjoyment of the participants. Whatever your requirements or personal tastes, Iceland has something for everyone. Come on over for a one-of-a-kind experience. You won’t be disappointed!

For more information about MICE in Island please visit www.icelandconvention.com

On my way to Iceland

Christian Badenhop, Area Director Sales & Marketing of Worldhotels, has put together a small but fine group of MICE professionals and invites us to a fam trip to Iceland.

Highlights (amongst many) will be a visit of the Blue Lagoon (right after arriving by airplane, thanks Christian!), an Iceland Adventure tour (whatever it may be) and sea angling (not fishing...?).

The whole trip was also made possible thanks to Icelandair, Hotel Holt, Icelandic Tourist Board, Elding and may more.

I will keep you posted about this beautiful trip to the world's most developed country.

Comparing IMEX and EIBTM

MICEpoint has been an exhibitor at both, IMEX and EIBTM. They are (as far as I know) Europe's most important MICE trade shows. There are some other (smaller) very interesting trade shows (see the MICE conference calendar on miceconferences.com for more details) but I want to focus on the two largest ones.

Some facts:
EIBTM 2007:
7'218 visitors whereby 3'326 were Hosted Buyers and 3'892 were Trade visitors.
IMEX 2007:
8'310 visitors whereby 3'592 were Hosted Buyers and 4'718 were Trade visitors

Looking back now at EIBTM 2007 and IMEX 2008 (sorry, no figures available yet), I must admit that EIBTM had more qualified hosted buyers and trade visitors then IMEX. While during EIBTM, MICEpoint had 3 diaries fully booked and some times up to 5 people waiting for an appointment at our booth, at IMEX we had one (almost) fully booked diary and very few additional visitors passing by.

At IMEX 2008, about 30% of pre-scheduled appointments did not show up, while at EIBTM only 10% did not show up.

Quantity is one thing but Quality is more important to me. And also there I have to admit that EIBTM is two steps ahead of IMEX!

And if I am talking about trade shows and hosted buyers:
Dear IMEX and EIBTM, please stop bringing organizers who will arrange a conference in 2018 (or similar). I have listened several of these "organizers" who commented something likd "I will enjoy with my wife a nice trip to Barcelona/Frankfurt free of charge". These are not the organizers we want. Quality is more important then Quantity!

Still, MICEpoint will keep exhibiting at both trade shows for the coming year.

What is your opinion?

Thanks to IMEX for the photo!

What has a bathroom to do with your next conference venue?

We all travel a lot, and we all see a lot. And while we all travel the world, we encounter amazing locations with amazing facilities. One of those amazing facilities are public bathrooms, right? Oh yes, we all can write books about them. I have seen (but not used!) bathrooms I will never forget. And I have seen bathrooms (and have loved using them) I will also never forget. One of them is this one here on the picture, coming from the Sofitel Queenstown, New Zealand. For us men it is quite a challenge to do our "daily business" in such circumstances, but it has been a unique experience.

Designers Brett Taylor, Mark Perriam, and Cam Marsh installed life-size photographs of female voyeurs, who peep saucily from behind the cone-shaped urinals—with binoculars, glasses, cameras, even a tape measure in hand.

Well, why not choose your next conference venue with a special bathroom? It sure will contribute to great communication. And that's always good. Would you like to see more such ideas? Then write a comment, thanks.