MICE News

In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 led to the rapid progression of digital and non-contact technologies that allow people to not be tied to a specific time or place. But at the same time, the value of real-world interactions, such as knowledge that can only be gained through in-person experiences or the trust and sense of ease that develop through personal interaction, has received an increased amount of attention. With the long-term restrictions on personal movement, this focus on the value of real-world interactions is only going to intensify.

There is a strong demand for experiences that can only be given in an environment outside of everyday life in a limited time and place. Such demand is firmly rooted in MICE events like exhibitions and conventions, among others, and indicates the huge potential the MICE industry has in returning to its trajectory of growth in the “after-corona” era. Furthermore, because MICE is an engine for economic development and regional vitalization, it is our duty to help contribute to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that real-world MICE events can safely be held.

Additionally, the OCTB gave its full support to the 12th Kansai Hotel and Restaurant Show, Japan’s first major exhibition after the lifting of the national state of emergency. This event (held July 29- 31, 2020, with 460 companies exhibiting and 13,933 visitors) was managed utilizing the OCTB guidelines and was a complete success. The Kansai Hotel and Restaurant Show forged a new standard for MICE event management in the “with-corona” era, a standard followed by revived events in Nagoya, Yokohama, Tokyo, and other cities. This has led to Japan being a true powerhouse in MICE recovery on par with countries that are considered to be industry giants, such as in Europe, the U.S., and Singapore.

Above all, we are championing Osaka as a city receptive to all MICE events and strive to become leaders in the promotion of the industry.

In addition to the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau’s efforts to attract MICE events, FOODEX Japan, one of Asia’s largest food trade fairs, will see its first-ever hosting in the local area in July 2021 as FOODEX Japan in Kansai, this event is large in scope and represents and industry that are vital to Osaka, so we expect it to have an enormous economic effect on the region. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, together with the Osaka prefecture and city governments and the local economic sector, is giving FOODEX Japan our full support, and aim to further foster momentum in Osaka being host to MICE events.

Moreover, the Osaka MICE Safety EXPO will become a pioneer in the events industry. This exhibition, presenting ideas on different management methods and tools for safety and infectious disease control, aims to ease the concerns that event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees may have about events. The Osaka MICE Safety EXPO marks a critical moment in the revival of the MICE industry, and the Osaka prefecture and city governments along with various economic organizations support the event as a unified body representing all of Osaka. Different national ministries as well as the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo are also backing this event.

1. Continue to devote ourselves to fostering momentum for MICE events in order to protect the universal value that the industry brings forth. This value is the enormous economic effect on Osaka from the business and innovation that are created when people, things, and information gather in the same place.
2. Proactively use the latest technology as a tool to resolve the challenges brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to put our effort into providing stays in Osaka that are more inspiring and satisfying than ever before, making Osaka a “high value-added MICE destination” for event organizers to choose.
3. Take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities presented by the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai and the potential integrated resort (IR) to boost Osaka’s status as Japan’s No. 1 MICE Destination.