2 May Yokohama, Japan: Looking at Yokohama’s list of convention bid wins, one cannot help but be impressed. Starting with the International Stem Cell Research – the first in Asia – this year to the International Congress of Psychology in 2016, one thing stands out – big attendance figures are anticipated.
Associations who will be holding their meetings in Japan will be happy to know that Japan ranks second in Asia for the highest number of attendance, according to the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA).
When ranked with other countries, Japan is 12th in the world in 2010 in terms of number of convention delegates.
In terms of number of international association meeting attendance, Yokohama was in the Top 2 rankings of Japanese cities in 2010, after Tokyo according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) statistics.
Information technology and biotechnology are the leading industries in Yokohama, with the city being deeply involved in the Tokyo Bay Genome Project. Yokohama’s highly regarded RIKEN Institute is the nucleus of this biotechnology cluster in Japan.
The city also has a special incentive programme for companies who locate their business to the Yokohama Science Frontier area. Companies who are engaged in the life sciences industries, and those in the environment, medical and welfare, high-technology or design fields are offered incentives to move their head office function into Yokohama. The International Tropical Timber Organisation, World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization and United Nations University International Advanced Studies today have a presence in Yokohama.
International conventions also receive special attention with the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau offering special support and assistance to meeting planners who meet their criteria.
For congress delegates who want to unwind after the work is done, Yokohama is a great jumping off point for day trips into the Tokyo area, and to the old feudal capital of Kamakura. A Yokohama Travel Guide smart phone apps in multiple languages is currently available for all visitors.
Said Ms Kana Nomoto from Yokohama CVB: “According to the World Justice Project, Japan is among the Top 5 out of the global 66 for Order and Security. Japan’s public order and security record is well known around the world, and as such international delegates can explore the city on their own without any apprehension.”
Yokohama is easily accessible from two international airports, Haneda and Narita. With PACIFICO Yokohama as its flagship, Yokohama currently has an impressive list of 19 meetings booked for the future according to ICCA. So, Yes! Yokohama! because 165,000 future congress delegates can’t be wrong.
Yokohama will be participating in the upcoming IMEX 2012, Frankfurt which takes place from 22-24 May 2012 at Messe Frankfurt.
Upcoming Association Conferences in Yokohama
