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| General Description | 2011 Event Report | Who should participate? | Participation in the event | Buyer Registration | Event venue | Contact details | Partners |
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Moscow International MICE Forum'09. Interview with the organiserMICE Forum'09 Report • MICE Forum'09 Statistics • MICE Forum'09 Video-report • MICE Forum'09 Photo-report • Organiser's interview'09 
"Time to Sell" Kim Waddoup recounts economic perspectives, MICE industry and how to stay in business The aiGROUP is preparing for the next Moscow International Forum of business and incentive tourism. The Moscow International MICE Forum is in the lead among other similar events in Russia and CIS. The economic crisis that caused a slump in many sectors has also spurred the development of MICE business. This happens as companies need new markets and business diversification as never before, which is impossible without looking for new contacts, information exchange and professional training. This is a major concern of the companies involved in the MICE sphere. aiGROUP president, Kim Waddoup, shared with us what he expects of the upcoming show. - It's the fifth time we organised the MICE Forum, so we've accumulated rich experience and know what our participants and visitors need. We have a great deal to offer them. - Do think this year interest in the show may rise? - No doubt it will as the main reason is that MICE business is becoming ever more relevant. Companies are looking for new markets, seeking new contacts, discussing problems, trying to learn something valuable and give incentives to their staffs. This is what MICE is all about. - Last year representatives of 81 companies attended the show… - And now we expect more than a hundred. It is already known that companies from Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Egypt, Czech Republic, Singapore, Mauritius, Morocco and UAE will arrive. A number of new nations will send their delegates. - Do think that MICE is not so widely known as a business area? - This is not exactly so: many simply don't know they are engaged in MICE business. Of course, many Western companies have MICE experts. You may call any large firm and ask them to connect you with such a person. You'll be understood and assisted. Many Russian companies still lack this specialisation and their employees who organize business tours, training and special events do not even know how precious they are. - Do you want them to know this? - We'd like to find such people and provide them access to our information; we'd like them to attend our show. When I explain the concept of MICE to corporate managers, some of them respond in amazement: "but this is exactly what I'm doing!" "Excellent, - I say to them, - this means you are in the MICE business. Here's just one example: an assistant director organizes a foreign tour for 200 employees and their participation in a number of events. This is a huge challenge but she is adequate to the task. She is certainly a MICE expert. Hopefully this lady will read this interview and say to herself: "Yes, this is truly my work: I send people, reserve a hotel and organize their leisure. This means that the show is meant for me and I must surely attend." - Do think the lack of information is a serious problem? - Of course it is: many who hear this term start browsing for "mouse" in the Internet because of acoustic associations. I'm not kidding, so we want people to know the concept, and our main challenge today is presentation of extensive information to specialists working in different areas. Information goes first followed by promotion of MICE services in the market. - Do you believe this is a promising line of business? - Very much so: look at the data. Last year the turnover grew to over $500 million. Every year yields a 20-25% growth. - But that was before the crisis! - Now the need for MICE has further increased! Companies are in need of business meetings where they can make their deals. They need conferences and congresses to swap opinions on the state of things on the market, and find new opportunities. You cannot just buy a ticket, go to some country and start exploring local conditions and market opportunities - such a visit must be thoroughly prepared. Now everybody has problems but business never stops; it continues to move ahead. - In other words corporate management understands the importance of MICE? - Yes, they do; surely many have to cut their budgets but all agree it is necessary to invest in MICE. They will study different markets, raise the level of skill, become involved in recreational activities and celebrate various occasions anyway. A short time ago I talked with leading representatives. They all believe MICE are very important for their company. They plan to cut their spending but send more people to various events. It is possible to save on hotel accommodations and travelling expenses but this is a normal practice. Last year I was told by the management of a very large company that they had sent 600 of their employees to Singapore and spent 5 million euro. Well, now the budgets will be sequestered. But look, nobody gave up on New Year celebrations; most companies held corporate events but in lower priced restaurants. - What results do you expect from the exhibition? - The main thing is for people to have an opportunity to meet and to network. Our goal is to do everything possible at the forum, in order to arrange meetings between people interested in each other. Some organize business tours; others arrange conferences and seminars; still others specialize in corporate events and organization of foreign tours. It is important for them to meet their potential clients and have a discussion. If those who need such services just take one another's business cards at our show, rather than look for requisite contacts in the Internet, this will be a worthy result of our effort. - I'd like to ask you a question which may seem inappropriate but I think it rather pertinent in this context. This is the first crisis in the history of the emerging Russian market. Do you think Russian companies know how to survive? - Russian business is now again facing the time of struggle and looking for new approaches and clients. You need to be very active on the market during this time and aptly sell your services. - So do you think they are ready? - They do: people actively promote their goods and services. Just look at the advertising: true, the structure has changed and other companies are coming to the fore but none has stopped advertising. People promote their services, drive their cars, dine at restaurants and invest in incentive tours for their employees. While in better times this was a week on Bali, now a company may offer a weekend in Paris but this is not so bad either, isn't it? Simply nobody is willing to squander corporate money away which is good news! - Perhaps we'll have to live under new conditions much longer than half a year… - A crisis is a common pattern for any market economy; you can do nothing about it. Yet I believe in Russia the crisis won't last as long as in UK or USA. - Why? - Very many American and British people live on credit and have to repay huge loans. Many people own nice homes, a plasma TV in every room, a couple of excellent cars in the garage and many other goods. But everything can vanish one day because all those things were bought on credit. In Russia people are not so dependent on loans and this is good. www.MICEforum.ru
Interviewer: Ruslan Dzkuya MICE Forum'11 Post Report MICE Forum'10 Post Report MICE Forum'09 Post Report MICE Forum'08 Post Report MICE Forum'07 Post Report |
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MICE Forum'12 Annonce International MICE Forum settles down in Moscow >> MICE Forum'11 Report MICE Forum is no longer perceived as exotics >> MICE Forum'11 Statistics The 7th Moscow International MICE Forum, Russia's most professional MICE Event >> MICE Forum'11 Video-announce  Play Video >> --> MICE Forum'11 Photo-report >> Organiser's interview'11: "We are satisfied with the show's results" President of aiGroup Kim Waddoup reports on MICE Forum 2011 >> |
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