The Seoul Convention Bureau (SCB) has beefed up its support programme for the year, although it says part of the support for event organisers may not be used due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19. Rather than sitting around watching and waiting how the situation might change, the SCB says it is, nevertheless, making long-term plans to build on the city’s specialised strengths for MICE in the coming years.
SCB says it has introduced strategic plans to transform the industry into a hybrid model and designed to provide the best environment for staging quality hybrid events. Cutting-edge meeting technology based on the city’s powerful ICT offer remains a cornerstone of the strategy, along with detailed quarantine countermeasures for on-site events.
The SCB’s ‘Reassuring Package’ is designed to offer an effective safeguard for MICE participants when business does resume and will deliver the necessary services such as emergency medical insurance, language services, general concierge services for hotel and transportation reservations.
Organisers of both online and hybrid event can also apply for financial and other support.
The Virtual Seoul platform’s 3D graphics are offered at no charge to organisers, as well as up to KRW10m in stipends (US$8,980) - conditions apply.
Attracting international conferences has become more important than ever and support at the bidding phase has been broadened by SCB to include consultation, official supporting letters, presentation assistance and a maximum of KRW200m during the hosting phase.
Exhibitions and tradefairs will see the accelerated introduction of hybrid and zero-contact procedures and systems under a strategic growth plan that includes developing an international exhibition comparable to global tech event CES.
Thirty-four exhibition organisers have already been selected for each stage of the new plan and provided with support of up to KRW80m, reports SCB.
The new support package is also helping get a new online platform developed in co-operation with the Korea Exhibition Organisers Association.
More information about SCB and its projects: https://miceseoul.com
