SENDAI Tourism & Convention Bureau, which has been given free space at IMEX and is participating at the show for the first time, hopes to raise the ‘right’ awareness of the destination among European and American MICE organisers, who largely know it from the devastating East Japan Earthquake a year ago.
“Actually, it is thanks to the tsunami that (European and American MICE buyers) know Sendai, and now we want them to know that we are ready to welcome international conference delegates,” said the bureau’s assistant manager, Yumiko Nakao.
Nakao explained that Sendai’s meetings infrastructure was virtually back to normal, and that further investment was being made to boost infrastructure in the city.
A new subway line connecting Sendai railway station, downtown Sendai and Sendai International Center will open in 2015. A new venue adjacent to the Center will also come online around the same time, featuring a large space for technical exhibitions and additional conference rooms.
Meanwhile, the Miyagi Exhibition Center, destroyed by the earthquake, will reopen in the summer.
“Almost all the meetings infrastructure is now open, and international meetings are slowing coming back,” said Kayuhiko Kusaka, senior officer, international promotion section, City of Sendai Economic Affairs Bureau.
– Full report in TTGmice, August 2012 issue
