China International MICE Exchange (CIMX) 2026 has concluded its inaugural edition in Beijing, generating nearly 6,000 business meetings and bringing together international industry leaders, buyers and exhibitors to strengthen cooperation between China’s MICE sector and global markets.

Held over three days at the China National Convention Center Phase II, the event welcomed 150 exhibitors, 350 hosted buyers and more than 3,000 attendees from over 41 countries and regions. Organised by Messe Berlin China and supported by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, CIMX aimed to establish a dedicated platform for international business exchange, partnerships and cross-border collaboration.

The exhibition featured 150 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions, showcasing destinations and MICE services across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Chinese destinations represented included Beijing, Tianjin, Hainan, Shanghai Lin-gang Special Area and Macao, highlighting opportunities for corporate meetings, incentive travel and international events.

Business matchmaking was central to the programme, connecting destinations, convention bureaux, airlines, hospitality groups and MICE service providers with corporate planners, agencies and professional buyers through pre-arranged appointments and networking opportunities.

Yang Jin, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Division at Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said: “CIMX is a highly professional exhibition, organized by Messe Berlin China and hosted in Beijing. For Chinese companies, it provides a platform to connect directly with international MICE buyers without having to travel abroad, making business exchanges more cost-effective and efficient. For Tianjin, it also presents an excellent opportunity to showcase our destination to international buyers and raise its visibility in the global market.”

The event also attracted leading industry organisations, including the MICE Committee of the China Association of Travel Services, China Advertising Association Event Marketing Committee, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE).

Elle Ng-Darmawan, Senior Director, APAC, GBTA, said: “CIMX has seen a good support from the industry—the meetings and events, MICE or business travel community. I look forward to seeing the show growing from this point into its future years, and look forward to continuing to partner with CIMX and just being able to meet more people from the business travel and MICE community,”

Conference highlights industry trends and innovation

Alongside the exhibition, CIMX hosted a conference featuring 120 speakers, 40 industry topics, six conference tracks and three specialised workshops and forums.

Discussions covered developments in China's and the global MICE industries, cross-border events, destination marketing, incentive travel, artificial intelligence and the future of business events.

Florence Chua, Managing Director, APAC, PCMA, said: “Through its conference, CIMX brought together MICE professionals, association members and business leaders from China and abroad to share diverse content. The conference covered a wide range of areas, from incentive travel to conferences and exhibitions, making the content very rich. As the conference of the inaugural edition, both the quality of the events and the calibre of the speakers were very high.”

Specialised sessions included the CIMX–ICCA International Association Meetings and Destination Development Forum, the PCMA Corporate Intelligence Exchange Workshop and the GBTA Business Travel Forum, providing opportunities for international organisations and industry professionals to exchange expertise.

Networking also played a key role, with nine social events held throughout the exhibition. Highlights included the Corporates in MICE Luncheon, MICE² Macao × Hengqin Networking Luncheon, Singapore-Sponsored Luncheon and Shanghai Lin-gang · Dishui Lake Night. The CIMX Opening Dinner brought together 400 industry professionals and stakeholders.

On the final day, international buyers and media representatives departed for a four-day familiarisation trip to Beijing and Tianjin. The programme included visits to MICE venues, business events facilities and cultural attractions, offering participants first-hand insights into the destinations' capabilities.

CIMX to return in November 2027

Nikolaos Swoch, Director of CIMX, said: “CIMX was created to turn China’s MICE potential into international business opportunities—and to open new doors into China for the global industry. This first edition has put that mission into action, bringing decision-makers together to explore business, build trust and establish partnerships. Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond, CIMX will establish itself as the must-attend annual gathering for the Chinese and international MICE communities, driving business growth, strengthening global collaboration and shaping the future of business events.”

Building on the results of its debut, CIMX will return to Beijing for its second edition from 2–4 November 2027 at the China National Convention Centre Phase II. -TradeArabia News Service