MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITION/ EVENTS (MICE)

Discuss the roles of a meeting planner.

The roles of a meeting planner expanded with the increasing importance of meeting, convention and expositions. Meeting planners are responsible to select the site for meeting,conventions or exposition. They also reserve meeting space, hotels rooms and audiovisual and other equipment. Beside that, arrange for food and beverage is a part of their job. Organize guest registration, arrange for name tags and handouts, plans programs for participants and their guests, work with the exhibitors and lectures and make floor plans. They also arrange for security so that there is no disturbing during the meeting. In general, a meeting planner is responsible in every aspects of the event. They need to look at every details of the meeting to ensure the planned going smoothly.

Based on your research through books and internet, how have the MICE industry affected local economy in Malaysia?

The MICE industry affect local economy in Malaysia by become an important economic sector in many part of the world developed as very important in modern global market, also known as meeting, incentives, conventions and exhibitions sector meeting industry. In Malaysia The Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) is instrumental in powering the nation’s MICE industry. Malaysia has built various convention facilities like the Borneo Convention Center Kuching in Sarawak, the Putrajaya International Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, the MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Center in Kuala Lumpur, and the Johor Bahru Iskandar region. MICE organizers are being encouraged by the announcement of financial incentives to make Malaysia an attractive business tourism destination. Scheme is valued at over US$16.5 million for 2011-2012. Planners in the field of health and medical care, science and technology, halal food, education, oil and gas will also get incentives as these sectors are directly or indirectly responsible for developing Malaysia into a MICE hotspot. In November 2011 a branding campaign was organized by MyCEB, at Kuala Lumpur Central Market, showcasing Malaysia as Asia’s Business Events Hub. The event portrayed Malaysia as a gateway to conduct business events, as it is strategically located on trade routes between India and China and other locations in Asia and Europe. The event was leveraged to the maxim to attract as many as 100,000 delegates to future international conventions by 2015, which will be a huge increase compared to 59,000 in 2009. The conducting of international business events is expected to impact the economic gain tremendously, according to MyCEB sources.

How does MICE are different from the other hospitality areas?

MICE are different from the other hospitality areas