SOUTH KOREA - The 2010 Korean Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Expo opened on-schedule despite the violent altercation between North and South Korea.
Speaking at the co-located Seoul MICE Forum, Seoul Tourism Organisation president and CEO Samuel Koo called for a moment of silence in respect for the two marines killed in the North Korean bombardment.
By holding the Korea MICE Expo at Seoul's Coex (pictured), the Korean Government hopes to capitalise on its success in hosting the G20 Summit there on 11 and 12 November.
According to Martin Sirk, CEO of the International Conference Congress Association (ICCA), hosting mega-events such as an Olympic Games, World Cup or G20 Summit can give a temporary boost to the host country's MICE industry.
"For a brief period of time, the eyes of the world are on you," he told EW, "and if you get it wrong, you miss the boat. Korea can now say 'no matter how complex your event, we can do it because we can manage the toughest event around'. As a PR track that is very powerful."
Referring to Tuesday’s exchange of fire with North Korea, Sirk said that there is no way of guaranteeing any country as 'safe', and that event organisers and associations are now looking for better risk management on behalf of destinations.
Two marines and two civilians died as a result of North Korean bombardment of the small South Korean island of Yeonpyeong.
