More MICE Events as Chinese Associations Gain Autonomy

April 26, 2016

Beijing moves to grant greater autonomy to trade associations that will likely spur growth in China’s MICE industry. The Chinese government continues to relax its control over the formation and management of trade associations. Last year, Beijing announced a trial programme to grant autonomy to 148 selected associations.

At end of 2014, there were approximately 307,000 associations registered in China, and over 18,000 were managed or operated by the Chinese Government. These associations held the vast majority of their meetings in China.

The associations with increased autonomy are looking to launch events outside of China such as the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry (WFCCI), which will organise a forum and cooking competition in Shanghai this June, and again in Barcelona in September.

Zhang Te, deputy secretary-general of the MICE Committee of the China Association of Travel Services, commented, “We will get more control over matters like approving our own events and the use of our funds. We can assume that the new independence will mean associations have the freedom to organise more events and these activities will attract more members and in turn grow the association and its operations.”

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