6 September 2019
KEY CONCLUSIONS
There is good potential to develop the MICE
industry in Primorye Territory
“Our objective is now to consider all
possible solutions for creating a concept for Vladivostok as a convention and
exhibition capital in the Russian Pacific region. This needs to be done, and is
already being done as we speak,” Konstantin Bogdanenko, Acting Vice Governor of
Primorye Territory.
“It is our view that today, Vladivostok has a
full foundation in place to acquire high-quality infrastructure. And of course,
with its university and the work it does, the human resources potential of the
MICE industry [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events – ed.] will
increase further,” Alexander Stuglev, Chief Executive Officer, The Roscongress
Foundation.
“The potential and need to build the
infrastructure for conventions and exhibitions here is enormous. We must look
at the Asia-Pacific market, and Primorye Territory could become a focal point
in terms of Russia’s representation in this market,” Anatoliy Bobrakov, Deputy
Chief Executive Officer, Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund.
“More work is being done in the exhibitions
sector. Major exhibitions are being held, and our expocentre is a leader in the
field, with over 50 years’ experience in the Russian market,” Vera Yermilova,
General Director, Dalexpocenter LLC.
Conventions and exhibitions bring positive
social and economic effects
“In terms of the development of the Far East,
this [infrastructure for conventions and exhibitions – ed.] is what can
help properly drive socioeconomic development in the region, once it is in
place” Anatoliy Bobrakov, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Far East and Baikal
Region Development Fund.
“Our students understand that by being here,
they not only have the chance to take advantage of our leading research and
educational infrastructure, not only have the chance to learn from renowned
FEFU and guest professors (including from overseas), they also have the chance
to work as volunteer. This provides them with an insight into international
events which take place here, as well as possible work opportunities,” Victoria
Panova, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Far Eastern Federal University
(FEFU).
Business tourism is growing in significance
throughout the world
“The global convention market is growing, and
at a rapid rate. According to experts, it will be valued at up to USD 1.5
trillion, which is significant,” Alexey Kalachev, Chief Executive Officer,
Russia Convention Bureau.
The convention and exhibition sector is only
starting to grow in Russia
“In various developed countries, the
convention sector accounts for 1.5% of GDP. The UK is a leader in this field.
The country hosts numerous events of this kind, which is clearly due to its
status as a financial centre. Conventions account for 2.9% of its GDP. In our
country, this figure is 0.2%. Clearly, we are still at the learning stage, and
are a long way away from leading nations and the global average,” Sergey
Katyrin, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
PROBLEMS
Logistics
“We have tried to clarify what barriers exist
to bringing people to events in the Far Eastern Federal District. Transport
accessibility is a big factor,” Alexey Kalachev, Chief Executive Officer,
Russia Convention Bureau.
A low number of major events in the region
“As the Eastern Economic Forum has grown, we
can clearly see that this venue [FEFU – ed.] is not large enough to host
it. Do a lot of these kinds of events take place in the region? Unfortunately,
for the region, they do not,” Alexander Stuglev, Chief Executive Officer, The
Roscongress Foundation.
Insufficient infrastructure to hold events
“Exhibitions in the region are currently
being curtailed by the fact that there is nowhere to hold them,” Vera
Yermilova, General Director, Dalexpocenter LLC.
SOLUTIONS
Building the infrastructure needed to hold
events
“A proposal has been made to hold a working
meeting together with Roscongress, the Ministry for the Development of the
Russian Far East, the Ministry of Construction, and the Government of Primorye
Territory on building a digital district. I call this a ‘convention’, because
the trigger here is the convention and exhibition centre. <...> We need
to endeavour to establish such a centre in this district, covering all areas
which exist on Russky Island, and which are outlined in presidential orders and
decisions made by state corporations, and in the context of the development of
the FEFU,” Mikhail Grudinin, President, Giprogor Project City Planning
Institute of Spatial Modelling and Development.
“It is important for Vladivostok to have a
multifunctional venue where it will be possible to hold a range of sporting and
cultural events under one roof, or at a single place. It is possible to draw
from the experience of Russian and international convention centres,” Alexander
Stuglev, Chief Executive Officer, The Roscongress Foundation.
“Vladivostok has recently come third very
often in matters to do with tourism. For example, Vladivostok is in third place
in terms of the growth of foreign tourists flying to Vladivostok; it is third
in terms of the number of international flights. <...> If things were
made simpler through infrastructure, there could be a significant improvement
in the potential to hold conventions and exhibitions. A simplified visa regime
will help in this regard,” Konstantin Bogdanenko, Acting Vice Governor of
Primorye Territory.
A holistic approach to solving tasks
“In and of itself, a convention centre, no
matter how well it is built, will not solve any problems. We need a good
operator, one which can ensure that the complex continues to host events,”
Konstantin Bogdanenko, Acting Vice Governor of Primorye Territory.
Support for small and medium business
“We always support the development of small,
medium, and even large businesses in the MICE industry, because if we speak
about Roscongress’ objectives, then they are primarily to do with holding big
events. Perhaps they will develop in other regions as well. I am referring to
Sochi, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. That is why we won’t deviate from this approach
– any small and medium-sized company will be able to bring event more events
here. They will create and organize them. In terms of the development of the
MICE industry, this can only be a good thing,” Alexander Stuglev, Chief
Executive Officer, The Roscongress Foundation.
For more information, visit
the Roscongress Foundation’s Information and Analytical System at roscongress.org/en.