Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that 323 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) events were held in various venues in the third quarter of 2010, up 24% year-on-year; the average duration rose from 2.1 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 2.3 days; total number of participants and attendees reached 365,111, an increase of 44% year-on-year. A total of 18 exhibitions were held in the third quarter of 2010, up by 3 year-on-year, with the average duration reduced from 4.4 days to 4.0 days. Number of attendees increased by 40% to 321,964, with three major exhibitions attracting 186,415 attendees. Meanwhile, 305 meetings & conferences were held, bringing together 43,147 participants, up by 24% and 94% year-on-year; the average duration stood at 2.2 days, up by 0.2 day. As regards subject of MICE events, the majority focused on Commerce, Trade & Management (126), IT & Other Technology (44), as well as Education & Training (31). Analyzed by type, most of the events were Corporate Meetings (136), Association Meetings (66) and Government Meetings (52). There were 188 MICE events held in hotels, including 177 meetings & conferences and 11 exhibitions. The average duration increased from 2.3 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 2.8 days, drawing a total of 224,283 participants and attendees, with 87% being exhibition attendees (195,319 participants). In addition, 135 MICE events were held in convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues, consisting of 128 meetings & conferences and 7 exhibitions. The average duration decreased from 1.8 days in the third quarter of 2009 to 1.6 days, bringing in a total of 140,828 participants and attendees, with 126,645 (90% of total) being attendees to the exhibitions. Number of MICE events held totalled 1,019 in the first three quarters of 2010, an increase of 179 (+21%) year-on-year. The average duration increased by 0.4 day to 2.4 days; number of participants and attendees reached 585,972, up by 70% year-on-year. Coverage of the MICE statistics comprises meetings and exhibitions held in hotels, major convention & exhibition centres and other conference venues; however, meetings with less than 10 participants, and exhibitions not involving business activities, e.g. exhibition of art, photo, other cultural exhibitions, etc. are excluded.
