MICE News
News
2025.03.05
Osaka MICE Business Alliance gets ready for Expo 2025
A gathering all about the 2025 World Expo
The Osaka MICE Business Alliance, a collaboration led by the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, recently hosted a successful seminar at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection on February 21, 2025. With the 2025 World Expo just around the corner, the event focused on equipping Osaka's business events community with the information needed to take advantage of this historic event.
The Osaka MICE Business Alliance is a collaborative partnership managed by the OCTB among local businesses who offer a wide variety of services within the MICE industry. The Alliance strives to provide a one-stop service so that organizers of meetings, incentive tours, exhibitions, and trade shows can find success and ease in hosting their international events in Osaka.
This seminar focused on the rapidly approaching Expo 2025, and was attended by over 150 members of the Osaka MICE Business Alliance, showcasing the intense interest surrounding the World Expo.
The seminar began with a welcome from the RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka. Deputy General Manager Masaharu Fukushima highlighted the hotel's recent inclusion in the Vignette Collection under IHG Hotels & Resorts. Koji Kobayashi, Director General of Public Relations and Promotion Bureau of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, then provided a comprehensive overview of Expo 2025, just 50 days away as of this event.
Attendees also heard from Julie Yamamoto of Trivandi, the operator of the Australian Pavilion, who discussed the Expo's potential impact on hotels and cities, drawing on her experience from the 2005 Aichi Expo. Mitsuo Takeuchi of Saraya Co., Ltd. and Zeri Japan presented the innovative Blue Ocean Dome, a privately-run pavilion focused on marine sustainability. Finally, Yuji Inoue of Asia Pacific Trade Center Co., Ltd. detailed the collaborative efforts of the Osaka Bay Area MICE, located adjacent to the Expo 2025 site.
Seminar Highlights
RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka in the Vignette Collection
Masaharu Fukushima shared insights into the hotel’s recent renovations and its integration into the IHG Hotels & Resorts Vignette Collection.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Koji Kobayashi provided key details on the Expo, including event highlights, access, and ticketing information, emphasizing the April 13, 2025 opening.
The Impact of the World Expo on Hotels and Cities
Julie Yamamoto, Deputy Operations Manager of the Expo 2025 Australia Pavilion, discussed the Expo's impact on the hospitality sector and local economy, drawing on her past experiences at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi. Ms. Yamamoto emphasized her desire to use these experiences towards the success of the 2032 Olympics in Queensland.
Blue Ocean Dome
Mitsuo Takeuchi introduced the Blue Ocean Dome, a pavilion dedicated to marine conservation, aligned with the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision announced at the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit.
Osaka Bay Area MICE
Yuji Inoue outlined the collaborative efforts of businesses in the Sakishima area that form the Osaka Bay Area MICE cooperative. Highlighting their preparations for the Expo, Mr. Inoue provided a look into their goals for after Expo 2025 and the upcoming Osaka IR (integrated resort) in 2030.
About the Venue
The RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, with its rich 80-year history, offers exceptional facilities and hospitality. Its convenient location, directly connected to Nakanoshima Station as well as the Osaka International Convention Center, makes it an ideal venue for a wide range of events.
See more information below: