Three meeting and event organizations announced on Wednesday (Oct. 17) that they are combining forces to provide training and resources to help train and develop professionals involved in the industry segment known as Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions, or MICE, in three growing regions of the world.
The Global MICE Collaborative between the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) will provide professional resources on exhibitions, meeting and event planning and incentive travel to foster the development of the MICE profession and MICE professionals in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
While tourism has been at the forefront for economic development, more and more regions and cities around the globe are recognizing the vital part MICE plays in economic growth, with MICE delegates contributing as much as four times more per visit than a leisure tourist.
MICE professionals need specialized, credible competencies and resources to help them learn, adapt and evolve, necessitating the need for a trained workforce.
The collaborative, announced at the annual IMEX America meeting and event industry trade show in Las Vegas, brings together three industry-leading associations with more than 73,000 MICE professionals and 126 chapters.
The Global MICE Collaborative will initially be marketed to destination marketing organizations and individuals outside the U.S. and Canada, as a “go-to” resource for MICE.
“The best-known associations have come together to bring the best of collaboration,” said Annamaria Ruffini, SITE president. “One of my goals was to build an alliance. Now we have brought together our combined communities.”
The Global MICE Collaborative is designed to accelerate MICE workforce development and destination awareness through competency-building, live events, research, consulting and access to a vibrant community of experienced professionals.
These are viewed as crucial components as more cities and regions are investing in infrastructure to increase their appeal as MICE destinations. By engaging with the Global MICE Collaborative, destinations will benefit through increased awareness and heightened professionalism that will ultimately attract more MICE business.
Goals for the Global MICE Collaborative include:
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Through professional competencies, delivery of unparalleled comprehensive education and certification to develop the workforce and advance the professionalism of the industry.
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Through live events, bring MICE professionals together in experiences that inspire, energize and provide ongoing professional development and business exchanges.
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Through peer-to-peer engagement, be the world’s go-to community for MICE professionals, delivering relationship value at every stage of their careers.
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Through destination consulting, provide consultation, market research and trade education that will enable tourism and destination marketing organizations, venue operators, event organizers and destinations to reach the highest level of success.
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Through research and advocacy, bring awareness of the value of the MICE industry and propel the industry forward by delivering data-driven trend reporting and pan-industry initiatives.
David DuBois, president and CEO of IAEE, said the collaborative is the result of a year-long effort and the result will not only tap into each organization’s strengths, but also help build new opportunities for industry professionals worldwide.
Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO at MPI, said the growth of the collaborative will be determined by the needs of the market.
“The Global MICE Collaborative will be the world’s first comprehensive community for meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) professionals,” he said. “We are honored to be a part of this collaborative that brings together the power of MPI, IAEE and SITE, providing world-class resources to educate, advance and transform the MICE community globally.”
To learn more about The Global MICE Collaborative go to www.micecollaborative.com.
