World Mice Day China

A Cruise to China’s Sailing City

The second annual World Mice Day was recently held in the Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. The Maxxus Group was honored to have been invited to this important international fair as a hosted buyer. Qingdao does not come to mind as the first destination in China.  But the city of over 9 million continues to attract tourists and international businesses from around the world with its abundance of natural beauty and its designation as the new “Blue Silicon Valley” (the oceanic valley).  

If the choice of venue sounds uncharacteristic when compared to such other metropolises as Beijing or Shanghai, a little background may be in order:  In 2008, Qingdao hosted the Sailing Regattas of the 29thOlympic Gamesas well as the 13thParalympic Gamesat the city’s Olympic Sailing Centre & International Marina. In 2009, China’s Sailing City welcomed sailors from the Volvo Ocean Race.  In 2014, Qingdao hosted the International Horticultural Exposition. Qingdao also annually hosts the International Sailing Week,SINO CES, and International Beer Festival. Finally, the Clipper Round-The-World Yacht Raceis hosted bi-annually.

A Little History. A Little Geography

Throughout history, Qingdao has been known by several other names most notable one being Tsingtau. Tsingtau was a German concession from 1897 until the First World War broke out in 1914. During the siege of Tsingtao, the Japanese took control of the region while declaring war on Germany. The city reverted to Chinese rule in 1922, but was re-occupied by Japan again in 1938 during WWII. The city was finally completely liberated in 1949. 

Also known as the Switzerland of the East, Qingdao lies on the southern tip of Shandong Peninsula in Jiaozhou Bay, on the shores of the Yellow Sea.  Qingdao is one of China’s most important independent coastal regions.  The city has experienced rapid growth over the last decade. Qingdao’s port is the second-largest in China. 

Qingdao is well known for its European architecture, attractive coastal landscapes, and local folklore. Popular attractions include mystical Mount Lao, Badaguan, Tsingtao Brewery Museum, and Zhongshan Park. With its abundance of natural beauty, China’s Sailing City has become a bustling tourist destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Qingdao & Mice Industry
Although starting relatively late, Qingdao MICE industry is growing fast. With the completion of the first two phases of the Qingdao International Convention Center, Qingdao MICE industry is catching up fast with its counterpart cities in China. In recent years, Qingdao has become one of the most bustling MICE areas in China. Between 2006 to 2011, Qingdao was among “China Top Ten Exhibition Cities.” With so many tradeshows and exhibitions under its belt, Qingdao has now become a bustling center of commerce in China.   

Qingdao has claimed many titled among them: The world's most beautiful bay, the world beer city, and the world's sailing capital.  

WMD-2018 

Billed as “a professional communication platform for the MICE people [from] around the globe,” WMD-2018 lived up to its claim by gathering a distinguished group of world-renowned entrepreneurs, educational experts and other professionals from MICE industry to share their insight and success stories, and engaged attendees from across China and overseas through a unique mix of training and interactive sessions. 

The three-day event was made up of six professional programs including keynote speeches by senior government officials, MICE Industry representatives and academia.  There was also a tradeshow component at which various suppliers from the region got the opportunity to showcase their services and venue.  All in all, WMD-2018 turned out to be a very unique forum at which to discover a unique part of China and come home with a great deal of knowledge about the MICE industry in Qingdao and its prospects globally.

We look forward to our participation at the third World Mice Day in Qingdao.