ConferenceArena: MICE industry celebrates its relaunch
After a one and a half year break due to Corona, the Who's Who of the MICE world met on October 28, 2021 for a new start for the industry. Presented by the host country Italy, the 9th edition of the ConferenceArena was able to inspire around 700 trade visitors on site and online.
The 9th edition of ConferenceArena was presented by the host country Italy, adding an international perspective. Represented by the Italian National Tourist Board (ENIT), the Convention Bureau Italia and the two MICE cities of Milan and Rome, the host country showed how rapidly Italy has developed in terms of MICE in recent years. Furthermore, more than 70 renowned exhibitors from Italy and abroad presented themselves, among them also the Hilton Group Austria. But also inspired show acts such as ice carving with European champion Toni Steininger or top-class lectures - for example by Olympia Caterer Ernst Seidl. "This year's ConferenceArena was incredibly diverse and it's great to see that the MICE industry is back so strongly again" explain Martina Müller and Roger Schaer from the exhibition management.
Wolfgang Walter Wulle triumphs at the second Speakers Excellence Slam Swiss
The second Speakers Excellence Slam Swiss, which was held at the ConferenceArena together with Europe's largest speaker agency "Speakers Excellence", promised to be highly exciting. 11 top speakers competed against each other with 7-minute impulses to convince a jury of experts and the audience. At the end Wolfang Walter Wulle triumphed and secured itself with its impulse ?conflicts are growth engines? the jury Ward. The audience award was won by Yannick Zionel with his presentation "Control of your emotions = action".
Councillor Ernst Stocker discusses the future of the event industry
Old normality or new opportunities? The event industry after the pandemic." On this topic, moderated by Sven Epiney, a top-class panel discussed the central future issues of the MICE world. Christoph Kamber, President of EXPO EVENT, and Martin von Moos, President of HotellerieSuisse Zurich and Regions, provided fascinating insights into the machine room of the event industry during the pandemic. Ernst Stocker, member of the cantonal government and head of the Zurich Finance Department, made it clear what enormous financial efforts the canton has already made to support the industry. Furthermore, Christoph Lang, FRZ Airport Region Zurich, enriched the panel with his local perspective as Managing Director of the largest business network in Zurich. Conclusion: The MICE industry is getting back on its feet, but it is not out of the woods yet. This also requires courage and further support.
ConferenceArena now under the management of Bianca Markwalder
Furthermore, Bianca Markwalder, 28, most recently Head of MICE & Sales at Arosa Tourism, was introduced as the successor to Exhibition Director Roger Schaer, who had been responsible for the ConferenceArena as Managing Director since 2018. "I am very much looking forward to the great challenge and to leading the trade fair into its 10th anniversary in 2022 and developing it further," said Markwalder.
