A according to ICCA, the five largest international association meetings held in China’s fourth largest city – with 14 million people – over the last 10 years have attracted between 1,200 and 6,000 delegates. They have ranged from industries such as life insurance and entrepreneurship, to biomaterials, fusion energy and hydraulic research.
One of the most important economic, financial and communication centres in western China, Chengdu is also home to top universities such as Sichuan University, a high-level comprehensive research university. There are also five nearby universities focusing on science and technology, making it a hotspot for software development and innovation.
The talent pool of Chengdu’s top academicians, according to ICCA, is the main pull factor in winning and luring more international meetings to the city.
Meeting industry members have also noted that more than 260 Fortune 500 companies have established branches in the city, while there are also more than 12 consulates present.
On what makes Chengdu – one of the world’s fastest growing metropolises – attractive, Noor Ahmad Hamid, regional director of ICCA Asia-Pacific, said: “It boasts exceptional meetings facilities and accessibility. The support provided by the government has attracted the right mix of meetings, especially technological, medical science and financial-oriented. This is in alignment with their strategic goals of branding and internationalisation.”
He added: “ICCA has seen Chengdu strive to introduce more major events through enhanced cooperation with national and international organisations, ministries, cities, universities and research institutes to bring in more renowned events from home and abroad.
“For instance, the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Expositions has signed a framework agreement with the IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) and Reed Exhibitions for strategic cooperation.
“The city is also improving Chengdu’s infrastructure and services. It has also developed a unique service model which highlights its ‘Chengdu, Can Do’ service to accommodate all kinds of events. In fact, Chengdu was the first city in central and western China to host the Fortune Global Forum.”
A recent high-profile event which took place in May 2015 and attracted 650 delegates, was the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition. Following its success, Chengdu has also been picked for the world’s leading commercial aviation event World Routes, which will take place from September 24-27 this year.
Manish Puri, general manager, Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, a resort about an hour’s drive from Chengdu, pointed to its “extremely good” national and international air connectivity. He said this attracts a lot of domestic and international organisations to choose the city for their events.
Government support for the MICE is definitely strong, Alicia Yao Hong, general manager, IME Consulting, said.
“Chengdu is bidding for international meetings, and is aggressively promoting the city by attending MICE tradeshows overseas, while the government is offering subsidies to attract more meetings.”
With the city’s resources, Yao said Chengdu is creating more international events such as a mahjong competition between China and Japan, and international forums on the art of Buddhist paintings
She pointed out: “As a secondary city, Chengdu is more competitively priced compared to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Prices in Chengdu are at least 20 to 30 per cent cheaper compared to the big cities. The city is clean and air quality is better. Labour cost is also cheaper.”
Puri added that Chengdu offers a large number of local and international hotels with state-of-the-art banqueting and meeting spaces. With the large number of hotels on offer, rates are attractive and options are many.
City centre hotels such as Niccolo Chengdu have been picked for high-profile events. The most important international meeting held at the hotel in 2015 was the UK China Urbanisation Forum – Northern Powerhouse Business Event.
Simon Wang, Niccolo Chengdu’s director of sales and marketing, said high profile, medium-sized meetings with international influence are finding their way to the city.
Wang said: “Chengdu was the only other city besides Beijing and Shanghai to host the Urbanisation Forum, a further testament that the capital of Sichuan Province is quickly becoming an economic hub.”
“The hotel is becoming the epicentre of events being on the doorstep of the city’s Fortune 500 companies, and our facilities are ideal for those with between 200 and 300 delegates.
“With a lot of international hotel groups represented in the city, Chengdu can cater very easily to any international clientele or group.”
He said the city’s cultural atmosphere is a vital reason why companies and international meetings choose Chengdu. Its touristic offerings range from antique items to modern branded shopping malls, and its famous hot and spicy Sichuan cuisine.
As “a very good destination with pre- and post-event options”, Yao said Chengdu is promoting itself to host meetings all year-round.
The city has access to well-known tourism and cultural attractions such as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Leshan Giant Buddha, adding to its appeal.
