Northstar

DESTINATION | Hangzhou, CHINA NOV-DEC 2017 35 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com Hangzhou has long been a city with strong tourist appeal, given its abundance of cultural attractions and natural scenery. It therefore comes as no surprise that it is becoming a popular alternative to Chinese destinations like Beijing and Shanghai. The city's hosting of the 2016 G20 summit also catalysed a multi-billion dollar upgrading of the city's infrastructure, including new event venues, repaved roads, and an expanded subway system. Since then, a new MICE Hangzhou brand has led numerous successful promotional campaigns at events such as IBTM China, where the city signed 40 agreements to host future events. The city also hosted the UCLG World Council in October 2017, which involved 1,000 government officials from over 60 countries, as well as the 2022 Asian Games. Winning Planners' Hearts With government agency Business Events Hangzhou and the local Hangzhou MICE Association comprising over 100 members, the city is well- equipped to help meeting planners with securing event venues, preferential accommodation rates and incentive tours. To support the industry's growth, Hangzhou has also launched initiatives like the "MICE Talent" programme, which invites professionals from around China as well as abroad to help train local MICE practitioners. Meeting organisers will also benefit from the Hangzhou International Meeting Bidding Service Center, which will collaborate with local organisations to provide bidding services for international conferences and events. Words Brooke Thio WHY GO? Since the city's hosting of the 2016 G20 Summit, the city has sped up infrastructure development and MICE marketing efforts to secure even more international events. Hangzhou catches up Creating a presence for MICE Hangzhou at IBTM China Modern skyscrapers line the cityscape in Hangzhou PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES WHAT'S NEW • The 850,000sqm Hangzhou International Expo Center is one of the largest stand-alone buildings in China and offers 61 meeting rooms, a 90,000sqm exhibition area, and 3,000sqm meeting hall with 16 simultaneous interpretation lines. • Hangzhou Metro is undergoing rapid expansion to connect the entire city, with five stations to be added in 2018. A further two lines and 41 stations are also scheduled to open in 2019.

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