Last year’s one day MICE workshop & conference, the first MICE event on the Russian market, was such a success that from 19 – 21 September 2006, its organiser MSI Fairs & Exhibitions launches “MIBEX”, Russia’s first…
Last year’s one day MICE workshop & conference, the first MICE event on the Russian market, was such a success that from 19 – 21 September 2006, its organiser MSI Fairs & Exhibitions launches “MIBEX”, Russia’s first international meeting industry & business travel exhibition and conference.
MIBEX Russia is held in combination with “Otdykh-Leisure”, Russia’s largest international autumn tourism show, and “Luxury Leisure”, the first international trade fair for luxury travel in Russia. All three shows will take place in the newest and biggest exhibition venue of Russia, “Crocus Expo”, on 30,000 sqm.
Unique concept repeated and extended
The unique concept of “MICE Moscow” in 2005 – combining an international educational conference with a sales orientated workshop – was met with enormous approval by 112 participating companies from 31 countries, 150 conference delegates and more than 400 trade visitors. Margarita Demyanova, Mach 4, Thailand: “MICE Moscow was very useful for many participants. Our company made a lot of promising contacts and also we found out a lot about the development of the Russian MICE industry.”
“Because of its success, the concept of last year’s event will be repeated and even expanded to an extensive exhibition at this year’s MIBEX Russia”, explains Kristof Szymoniuk, Executive Director of MSI Fairs & Exhibitions. MIBEX will consist of a comprehensive trade fair that allows exhibitors to present their products and services to the rapidly growing number of MICE representatives in Russia and the CIS, an international conference and round table discussions.
High interest and international support guarantee success
National and international MICE key players already confirmed their participation in MIBEX Russia during last year’s event: “VisitBritain and our partners at the stand were very satisfied with the results of MICE Moscow. We can assure you that we will participate again next year” said Natalia Brederlow, Visit Britain, Central Europe. Many companies have requested details and show high interest in taking part in the show.
Continued support by major national and international associations like ICCA, MPI, SITE and the Russian Business Travel Association (RBTA) will again guarantee a highly professional environment at MIBEX Russia.
Booming MICE market in Russia
Apart from rising numbers of tourists coming to Moscow and Russian citizens going abroad each year, the incoming and outgoing meeting & incentive business is also booming. While the Russian government puts a special emphasis on developing Russia as a meetings market, large Russian organisations and companies based in Russia are increasingly interested in international meeting venues and staff-incentives.
The development of the Russian meetings sector leads to an increased demand for national and international PCO’s and meeting planners as well as international know-how. The establishment of Russian meeting industry and business travel associations (like RBTA-Russian Business Travel Association) also contribute to MICE becoming a professional industry sector in Russia and the CIS.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
