Shanghai will play host to the 52 International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress on November 2 to 6, 2013.

 

The annual event will be jointly organised by ICCA and the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration. Each year, the Congress serves as a platform for industry professionals from around the world to come together to publicise new business ideas and cutting edge approaches to the markets. To-date, ICCA has held 50 annual congresses, out of which approximately 50 per cent were held in Europe, whereas 13 were held in Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, the Philippines, Turkey, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taipei.

 

The 2013 Congress will be the first for ICCA to convene in Mainland China and a total of 800 to 1000 industry experts are expected to turn up. Shanghai’s role as host is integral to the promotional efforts for Mainland China, to attract more international meetings and tourism market to the city, more so in maintaining the appeal that Shanghai has set up since the World Expo held two years back. Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA expressed in his congratulatory letter to the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, "Holding our Congress in Shanghai will serve two very important strategic goals. It will expose our global members to the cultural riches and business opportunities in China and will transfer much needed knowledge and expertise to the current and future leaders of China’s own meetings industry. "

 

In the line-up leading to the preparations, a delegation representing China and the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration will be sent to the ICCA Congress 2012 to be held next month, in Puerto Rico, to assist in the promotion and publicity of the 2013 Congress.

 

Source from <Travel Weekly>