Background

It will (eventually) be possible to hold physical meetings again. The exact timing is unknown, but one day the pandemic will come to an end. However, if the industry simply waits for that day to come, it likely will die in the meantime. It is crucial to find a quicker path to recovery.

Ultimately, organizers are the only ones who can choose if and when they will hold their meetings again. This is not an easy decision. In general, organizers want to hold their meetings in person (real events). They understand the great value that can only be gained by having everyone physically gather together and meet face to face.

However, these organizers are at a loss as how to deal with the risks surrounding COVID-19. No one has ever held an international conference or exhibition during a global pandemic before. Many countries are still struggling to slow the spread of the disease, and the possibility of second and third waves are very real. This uncertainty, and the complete lack of experience on how to deal with it are leading organizers to conclude that they have no choice but to cancel, postpone, or switch to an online format.

Event overview

In response to this, venues and destinations all across Japan are teaming together to hold a MICE Showcase. This will be held simultaneously all across Japan on July 24, 2020 – the same day that the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics was scheduled to take place. Participating destinations include Sapporo, Sendai, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Shizuoka, Nagoya, Aichi, Toyama, Osaka, Okayama, Matsuyama and Okinawa (as of July 10, 2020).

This event will allow each venue to show their expertise and flexibility in responding to new challenges, based on their guidelines. By visiting showcases, event organizers will experience for themselves that MICE events can be safely be done during a pandemic, how they can be done, and what that experience might feel like for participants. By providing organizers with the knowledge, resources, and real-life case studies they need, this showcase will empower them to make their own educated decisions about holding their events. Organizers will now know that holding real events is an option again.

How to join

This event will be organized as hybrid meeting. You can register for the online program from the registration form. If you are planning your own event in future and would like to learn and to connect with suppliers, please contact info@japan-convention.net for more details.