On November 15, 2024, Chengdu University host the 2024 International Business Events Industry CEO Meeting and Global Conference Destination Competitiveness Index Launch Event. The event was meticulously organized by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA)，a leading authority in the global convention and exhibition field. The event brought together elite members of the business events industry, scholars, and government representatives from around the world. Notable guests such as the ICCA Headquarters Director of Governance and Industry Affairs and Asia Pacific Director graced the event with their presence. Participants engaged in discussions regarding the latest trends and future directions of the international business events industry and witnessed the unveiling of the 2024 Global Conference Destination Competitiveness Index Report.
Liu Qiang, Secretary of the CPC Chengdu University Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a welcoming address. He reflected on the five-year history of Chengdu University as a host of the International Business Events Industry CEO Meeting, He emphasized the critical role of the business events industry as a key driver of economic and social advancement, highlighting the need to adopt green and smart transformations to enhance competitiveness and impact through technological innovation and sustainable strategies. He encouraged participants to work together in exploring new directions for the business events industry and seize emerging opportunities. Chengdu University will remain committed to the principles of "openness, innovation, and collaboration," fostering deeper exchanges and partnerships with the international business events industry. This commitment aims to advance research and training initiatives, injecting fresh vitality into the university's academic disciplines and talent development.
Zhu Dan, Dean of the School of Tourism and Culture Industry and Director of CIMERT, released the 2024 Global Conference Destination Competitiveness Index Report. Based on the detailed analysis of 230 cities worldwide, the report provides a comprehensive overview of each city's performance in the business events industry and offers informed guidance for urban business events industry reform, innovation, and transformation. The report highlights that Taipei, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu have emerged as top-ranking Chinese cities, leveraging their strengths in economic prowess, infrastructure, professional services, internationalization, and policy support. Zhu Dan explained that the report's evaluation system not only reflects the current state of urban business events industries but also anticipates future development trends, furnishing robust data for strategic urban business events planning. The report serves as a detailed assessment of the global business events industry and a forward-looking blueprint for future progress, significantly contributing to the growth of urban business events sectors and enhancing international competitiveness.
The meeting featured a special session celebrating the fifth anniversary of CIMERT. CIMERT, a collaboration between the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Chengdu Municipal Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Chengdu Expo Bureau), Chengdu University, and Conference Magazine, has made significant strides in global business events industry research, training, and exchanges over the past five years, actively driving industry advancement.
The meeting also included a signing ceremony for the four-party strategic cooperation agreement for the CIMERT Project 2024-2029. This ceremony underscored CIMERT's commitment to forging enduring collaborative partnerships with a broader array of international organizations and entities. This development marks a significant milestone in fostering enhanced collaboration within the global business events industry. Chengdu University will further enhance collaboration in areas such as resource sharing, project partnerships, and talent development to infuse renewed vigor and momentum into the advancement of the global business events industry.
The agenda included various keynote speeches, CEO dialogues, presentations of innovative cases, and interviews with emerging talents.
Editor: Min Xiuling Executive Editor: Lyu Jia
