Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 28-29 November 2024, a two-day educational event was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, organized by the Almaty Tourism Bureau for MICE industry professionals, suppliers, and experts.

The event was attended by organizers of congress and exhibition events, managers and top executives from MICE agencies, hoteliers, experts, representatives of business travel agencies, convention bureaus, and creators of MICE and business tourism products.

One of the main goals of the meeting was to promote business tourism destinations on the global MICE map, expand networks, foster business communication, and showcase the professionalism and capabilities of companies in the event organization sector.

As the organizers noted, this event provided an excellent opportunity to discuss current issues from various perspectives, learn about the latest trends in the MICE industry for 2024, and make plans for 2025. Participants also had the chance to view presentations of the most effective solutions in a case session and find ideas for implementing their own goals, as well as establish new partnerships.

The event, bringing together representatives from Austria, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, became an important resource for professionals in the organization and execution of events, providing them with the latest news, ideas, and trends from around the world. The topics covered included new destinations, innovative technologies, sustainability methods, and industry events.

During the discussions, leading industry experts shared valuable practical knowledge and effective tools to help MICE professionals stay ahead in this dynamic industry. This included insights on the evolving landscape of virtual and hybrid events, as well as the latest developments in venue offerings.

A key strength of the event was its international focus. Covering MICE markets from Europe to Asia, the participants gained a broad understanding of global trends and opportunities, as well as information on various regional events.

A special highlight of the event was the presentation by Oybek Shagazatov, Deputy Director of the State Unitary Enterprise "InterForum" under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan. He showcased Uzbekistan’s recent achievements and opportunities within the MICE industry, introducing international MICE clients to the country’s best regional MICE products.

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan pays special attention to the development of this sector, including the development and improvement of the regulatory framework for its sustainable growth, the training and professional development of specialists, and the recognition of the MICE industry as a strategic sector of the country’s economy.

Uzbekistan is rapidly increasing its international cooperation and establishing relationships with relevant organizations in other countries, regularly initiating efforts to deepen collaboration in this promising field.

As a result of these efforts, Uzbekistan has hosted a series of large-scale international high-level events, which has led to an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country.

In his presentation, Shagazatov focused on the most effective tools for event organization and project management, drawing from the experience of the InterForum team. Having organized and hosted high-level international events for over five years, InterForum uses a comprehensive approach to each project, leveraging advanced technical capabilities, innovative ideas, and industry trends.

One of the key factors in the success of InterForum specialists, as noted in the presentation, is their holistic approach to all aspects of an event, the ability to adapt to changing requirements, and readiness to deal with unforeseen technical challenges.

The audience was impressed by the large-scale infrastructure projects implemented in Uzbekistan in recent years, which have enabled the country to host major international events as well as sector-specific and scientific conferences with over 2,000 participants at a high international level.

Looking ahead, the speaker emphasized to industry stakeholders that Uzbekistan is the most favorable MICE destination in Central Asia for hosting large-scale events, as well as a global platform for fostering dialogue within the MICE industry.

The educational event in Almaty was a prime example of successful regional cooperation aimed at creating approaches and developing comprehensive programs for experience exchange and professional development for specialists in the event organization sector.

In addition to the unique opportunity for skills enhancement and experience exchange, the event also created conditions for establishing new business connections.