As part of efforts to become a leading destination for business meetings and Mice travellers, South Korea recently held the ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter Client/Supplier Business Workshop 2017 at the Park Hyatt Busan.

This year’s workshop was graced with the presence of 16 prominent decision-makers with various professional backgrounds related to medicine, science, technology and commerce, representing as many as 13 countries.

Sunny Lee, senior marketing manager from Busan Tourism Organization, said: “The city of Busan was delighted to host colleagues and friends from around the world as part of our commitment to showcase Busan as a premier meeting destination. The workshop initially had 15 places however we decided to further increase the limited quota to 16 due to excellent level of interest.”

She added: “The workshop is not only a great and valuable networking platform, but to us, it also allows all delegates to build genuine relationships, creatively share ideas and really understand each other’s needs.”

Besides the lightning rounds of Business Meeting sessions, the workshop featured visits, site inspections, sightseeing and hosted meals highlighting the essence of the city. Some of the attractions delegates immersed themselves with included wearing the traditional Korean Hanbok at Gamcheon Cultural Village, learning the art of peace during the Beomosa Temple’s tea ceremony, and a fine-dining experience at the Nurimaru APEC House in Busan.

The ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter Client/Supplier Business workshop is a three-day event with intensive networking and business opportunities whereby ICCA members and association conference clients meet and exchange ideas within a tailor-made business exchange environment. A total of 39 delegates attended this year’s Workshop in Busan, including the future host of ICCA APC CSBW 2018 set to take place in Xi’an, China.

Commenting on the event, Noor Ahmad, regional director Asia Pacific ICCA, said: “We have been running the workshop since 2008 for the benefit of Asia Pacific members to network with international associations who are keen to bring their meetings to this region. It is our fervent hope that this workshop will be the avenue for our members to collaborate with the participating associations in staging their future meetings. This is in line with ICCA’s strategic goal that our members engage actively with association executives.”

This event is organized by the ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter in collaboration with Busan Tourism Organization, and with the support of local partners - Busan Metropolitan City, Korea Tourism Organization, Busan Exhibition & Convention Center and Park Hyatt Busan. - TradeArabia News Service