TTGassociations Publications January 2019 | Page 21
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Japan’s current
meetings magnet
Fukuoka is winning major association gatherings and
the reasons why are clear, writes Kathryn Wortley
F
tion, which had 38,000 pax.
In 2017 and 2018, Fukuoka continued
to attract significant association groups,
thus boosting its reputation. Wins
include the International Congress and
Convention Association’s Association
Meetings Programme; the 16 th Intelligent
Transport Systems Asia-Pacific Forum,
which had 5,519 pax from 27 countries;
and the International Society for Profes-
sional Innovation Management Connects
Fukuoka 2018 conference.
The latter was especially important ac-
cording to Kenny Macphie, spokesperson
of the Fukuoka Convention Visitors Bu-
reau (FCVB), as it “is a very sought-after
conference because it brings interesting
and influential speakers.”
Fukuoka also secured the 2019 meet-
ing of EVO Sports, a console gaming
ukuoka is ramping up efforts to
attract association groups as it
builds on its strong position as a
city for business and association
events, laying plans to improve facili-
ties, infrastructure, access, activities and
services within the next five years.
Since it was designated one of Japan’s
five global strategic cities for business
events by the Japan Tourism Agency in
2013, Fukuoka has become an increas-
ingly strong contender in securing
international pitches. In 2016, it was
ranked second in Japan, after Tokyo, for
the number of international conferences
held, with 383 in total, an increase of 20
year-on-year. In the same year, the city
also scooped first place for attracting the
largest international convention in Japan,
the 99 th Lions Club International Conven-
organisation, whose meeting was held
for the first time in Japan, in 2018.
Further growth in the number and
calibre of association events can be ex-
pected, according to the trade.
Shigeru Yamamoto, general manager
of KNT-CT Global Travel Co., told
TTGassociations that he is receiving
“more enquiries than ever before about
Fukuoka” for association meetings. He
attributed the boost in interest to the
large number of direct flights from Asian
cities, proximity from the airport to the
city centre, and hotels of varying price
points.
Yamamoto’s clients also noted the ef-
forts of the FVCB to support association
events, and the compact nature of the
city, which enables guests to “enjoy both
daytime and night-time activities with
ease.”
Macphie agrees that the FCVB’s com-
prehensive support has been instrumen-
tal in the city’s rising popularity among
association meeting planners.
“We help arrange things like unique
party venues (such as turning a shopping
arcade into a large street party) and give
language and financial support (subven-
tions) to international conferences,” he
said.
Fukuoka has also been successful in
securing academic association meetings
thanks to Kyushu University, which aims
to be “the core of an academic research
city built on cooperation among industry,
government and academia”.
The facilities in its new west-Fukuoka
campus are proving popular with confer-
ences.
Another deciding factor for planners is
the city’s variety of professional meeting
rooms and exhibition halls. Inside the
Fukuoka Conference Zone, the Marine
Messe exhibition space boasts 8,000m 2 ,
the Fukuoka Kokusai Center exhibition
space is 5,000m 2 and the multi-purpose
International Congress Center’s main hall
comprises 1,300m 2 and 20 conference
rooms. By 2021, a 5,000m 2 exhibition
space and two 400-pax capacity meeting
rooms will be added to the conference
zone.
A MICE Vibrancy Zone under devel-
opment in the waterfront area will give
the city a further boost. Work includes
the construction of new venues, hotels
and convention facilities as well as the
revitalisation of existing ones. The goal
is to make it easier for event guests to
walk between all venues that are part of
their visit. It is expected that this zone
will particularly appeal to planners that
prioritise environmental and health con-
siderations.
Fukuoka is adding on to its dedicated
Conference Zone with a waterfront development
that will bring even more venues, hotels and
convention space to the city