A Study On The Role Of International MICE Central City And The Measures By Shanghai

In modern economy, MICE industry is widely acclaimed as the engine ofurban economic growth, the bread of the city, and the window of the city.Many cities around the world have prospered on the strength of their MICEdevelopment, as the industry builds upon the city’s image. In China, MICE alsopick up its fast development momentum for years. In full recognition of its roleto the economic and social development, many cities attach priority to MICE,positioning themselves as MICE cities. To earn a status as MICE central city orinternational MICE central city becomes popular among them. Being the earliestand most advanced city to develop MICE industry, Shanghai has also announcedits initiative to basically complete the international MICE central city by2015.Based on related research both at home and abroad, this paper defines theconcept and connotation of International MICE central city, that is, beinginternational MICE central city means the city could play a dominant role in theglobal system, with a complete range of infrastructure facilities, large economicoutput, capable consolidation, strong guiding effect, and comprehensive serviceoffering, holding a big sway in MICE cities. The paper summarizes maincharacteristics and index used to evaluate international MICE central city, aswell as major ways and patterns of development. By adopting the combinationof theoretical and empirical methods, the paper systematically analyzes the roleof international MICE central city for Shanghai urban development, especiallyto foster innovation-driven restructuring and development, and concludes that ithelps to promote Shanghai’s economic growth, industrial restructuring, extendedurban functions and city’s improved profile. Combined with the status quo analysis of the city’s MICE industry, the paper draws a picture of Shanghai’sposition in the global MICE industry system, concluding that with respect to thequantity and scale of MICE events, Shanghai has already become a forerunnerin the global system, but as the level of internationalization, professionalism,market-based operation and soft power such as the urban comprehensiveenvironmental is concerned, Shanghai still lags behind. Therefore, the paperproposes the target positioning and two-step approach of constructinginternational MICE central city for Shanghai to continue to grow. This paperalso puts forward six countermeasures and measures, including the supervisionmechanism innovation, policy breakthrough, upgrade in internationalcompetitiveness, overall city’s promotion campaign, retrofit of MICE designatedarea, and deepening regional cooperation within the Yangtze river delta, in aattempt to advise on how to accelerate the process of building Shanghai into aninternational MICE central city.