The inaugural MeetGB China was recently confirmed to be hosted by the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. The event is expected to host Chinese businesses and encourage them to pick the United Kingdom as their first choice of destination when hosting international conferences.
MeetGB is organized by VisitBritain, the branding used by the British Tourist Authority in promoting tourism in the region. The event is expected to open its doors on Friday.
VisitBritain has also tapped the services of its counterpart in Scotland, VisitScotland, and Convention Edinburgh, in organizing the upcoming event. The event is expected to bring together at least 27 meeting. Suppliers from all across Britain are expected to come and participate in the event. MeetGB China will also include Chinese buyers who will be introduced to various products and services from the United Kingdom.
Aside from scheduled conferences, the event is expected to host more than 600 one-to-one business meetings. Delegates from both China and the United Kingdom will be hosted at a reception in Edinburghs Lord Provost. Workshops will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa.
Prior to the opening of MeetGB China, VisitBritain said that a handful of educational visits will be organized for the Chinese delegations. These education visits will immerse the buyers into various locations in the United Kingdom, as well as offer a first-hand experience of the products and services that they are going to buy.
Tourism Minister Michael Ellis said that the British government is committed to promoting what he considers as an important market which will boost the nation's economy.
Mr. Ellis said that through an event like MeetGB China, products and services from the United Kingdom will be promoted to interested customers, and in this case Chinese businesses and investors.
VisitBritain Chief Executive Office Sally Balcombe said the MeetGB China event is a great opportunity for the Chinese MICE market to showcase its potential. She added that it is also a great outlet for the local meetings and incentives industry to promote its products and services.
Many observers have said that the MeetGB China event will give local suppliers and tourist destinations to promote their meetings and incentives product in front of Chinese customers and investors. This said the event is expected to forge business connections and promote local destinations which in turn can get the attention of the international conferences, meetings, and incentives industry.
Earlier this year, the first-ever direct flight from China to Edinburgh was opened. The service was launched in June.
