(Pictured L-R: Zhang Feng, vice president, Meetings China magazine; Noor Ahmad Hamid, ICCA Asia Pacific regional director; Wang Qingdao, president Meetings China magazine & secretary general of China Convention & Exhibition Events Society)
The International Congress and Convention Association’s Asia Pacific Regional Director Noor Ahmad Hamid experienced a career highlight at the 11th China Meetings Industry Convention in Beijing in December. He became the first non-Chinese recipient of the China MICE Hall of Figures Award, a prestigious accolade which honors those who have contributed to the advancement of China’s meetings industry.
Traditionally awarded by ICCA member, MeetingsChina, and the CMIC to national industry heavyweights, Hamid’s inclusion among 2018’s group of award winners is a testament to ICCA’s support for and advocacy of the development of business events in the country, as well as the growing ICCA membership across China.
Strong ICCA Presence in China
Since Hamid took the helm in 2009, ICCA has enjoyed a strong and active community in China and made major inroads into the Chinese meetings market. ICCA’s Asia Pacific office has become an integral presence in the country, working closely with ICCA members across China to spread awareness and understanding of the importance of international business events.
ICCA’s Asia Pacific Regional Office empowers Chinese ICCA members to promote and develop the country as a world-class meetings destination of choice. By maintaining a regular attendance at events organized by Chinese ICCA members, such as the CMIC. ICCA’s international network utilizes and gains market intelligence by supporting the ICCA China Committee, a group of 54 industry leaders representing the country within ICCA’s Asia Pacific Chapter. As a result, national membership of ICCA has grown from 20 to 60 organizations under Hamid’s regional direction.
Chinese ICCA members are leading players in the nation’s meetings industry development by organizing major domestic events, such as the 11th China Meetings Industry Convention. The event, which was held Dec. 6-8 at Yangqi Lake International Convention Center in Beijing, was organized by MeetingsChina, attracting on average 1,000 delegates per year and is of tremendous national importance. This year’s edition received governmental recognition supporting the Chinese meetings industry, with more than 20 cities in attendance and the Beijing Municipal City and Hairou District Governments providing official backing. The ICCA China Committee also held its second meeting of 2018 in Beijing in conjunction with CMIC.
Chinese Commitment to International Meetings
ICCA’s Asia Pacific Regional Office is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and hosts the association’s Global Research Center.
“Chinese cities are very aware of the importance of the meetings industry and have invested heavily in developing world-class infrastructure to accommodate an ever-increasing number of international delegates,” says Hamid. “This commitment to the industry is extraordinary and is paying off, as China has experienced rapid growth over the past two decades, with the number of international association meetings held on an annual basis increasing to over eight times the amount held 20 years ago, according to the latest ICCA statistics. I therefore expect China’s potential as an international meetings destination to develop even further, with our members at the very center!
He adds, “I am honored to be the first non-Chinese winner of the China MICE Hall of Figures Award and this is definitely a great achievement for ICCA as well. We have worked hard to assist in growing China’s international meetings market and receiving this award alongside the national MICE industry’s best and brightest is an incredible achievement and sign of our association’s very strong footprint in the country. Thank you to our Chinese colleagues for this recognition!”
The International Congress and Convention Association represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting and accommodating international meetings and events, and comprises more than 1,100 member companies and organizations in almost 100 countries worldwide. Since its establishment more than 50 years ago, ICCA specializes in the international association meetings sector, offering unrivaled data, communication channels and business development opportunities. For more info, www.iccaworld.org
