The first essential for any aspiring MICE destination is connectivity. Incheon has no problems on that score. South Korea’s third-largest city hosts the nation’s premier international gateway, Incheon International Airport. The world converges here, and convenient domestic routes by rail, road and air fan out across the country.
When the airport opened in 2001, Incheon initially served merely as a waypoint. But ambitious developments in the past decade, most notably the futuristic waterside district of Songdo (which covers an area equivalent to the footprint of downtown Boston), established Incheon as a destination in its own right.
The MICE sector stands at the forefront of efforts to siphon off some of the 48 million passengers flowing through the airport each year. In 2008 the city unveiled the landmark Songdo Convensia Convention Centre, Asia’s first certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) convention facility.
Resembling an angular remodeling of Sydney’s famous Opera House, Convensia features a 90,590-square-foot, pillar-free exhibition hall with capacity for up to 450 exhibition booths, as well as a flexible variety of specialized large, medium and small conference spaces. The complex is equipped with all the latest technology, including high-speed broadband, interpretation facilities and radio-frequency identification tags for enhanced security. Amenities include a cafeteria for up to 200 people, a bank, a business center and a store selling office supplies.
Towering over Convensia — literally — is Korea’s tallest building, the 68-floor Northeast Asia Trade Tower. Oakwood Premier Incheon occupies the tower’s upper floors, offering 5-star serviced apartments — a convenient home away from home for conference delegates. The property also features four meeting rooms, ideal for private meetings away from the main conference center.
Also close to Convensia, with ample meeting facilities of its own, the Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel boasts 17 function rooms, including a ballroom with capacity for up to 500 people in a theater-style layout. As with Convensia, the Sheraton takes pride in its environmental credentials (it also has LEED certification) and offers dedicated eco-friendly meeting packages.
In the midst of Songdo’s striking modernity, the Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Hotel offers an atmospheric throwback to the Koryo Dynasty, which thrived until 1392. The hotel is a sprawling reconstruction of a traditional village set within tranquil gardens. The rooms remain distinctly Korean while discretely integrating all modern conveniences. A large banquet hall, also in traditional style, provides a variety of options for business events.
As with any up-and-coming, built-from-scratch district, Songdo at times struggled to strike a balance between ongoing development and the provision of visitor facilities. At times the number of guestrooms in Songdo lagged behind demand, and at other times it has run ahead. Perhaps one misstep was the construction of the quirky Benikea Songdo Bridge Hotel, which boasted 248 rooms and a range of meeting facilities. Unfortunately, it was located in something of a wasteland two blocks south of Convensia75 and went into mothballs in July 2015.
Adjacent to Songdo lie the older, more established districts of Incheon. In bustling Namdong-gu, the Incheon Culture & Arts Center offers the 1,332-seat Grand Theater, the 511- seat Small Theater, a 144-seat conference hall and versatile exhibition halls, all in a strategic location at the heart of downtown close to the Metropolitan City Hall and the city’s flagship department stores.
For centuries, Incheon’s fortunes were tied to its port, which remains the second-busiest in South Korea. The Harbor Park Hotel, offering meeting facilities for groups of between 20 and 400 people, is located within sight of the busy wharfs and is also convenient to Jayu Park, one of the city’s most popular green spaces; Chinatown; and the promenade at Wolmido, the waterfront strip of amusement centers and restaurants which was the unlikely landing place for Gen. MacArthur’s American Forces during the Korean War.
For the ultimate in fly-in, fly-out meetings, the newly expanded Grand Hyatt Incheon offers convention facilities and accommodations three minutes from Incheon International Airport. The hotel offers a choice of expansive, pillar-free spaces as well as smaller drawing rooms and boardrooms. It sits within walking distance of the airport station from where a non-stop express service links to downtown Seoul in just 43 minutes.
Incheon has long been overshadowed by Seoul. The successful airport — regularly voted the world’s best — put the city firmly on the map, and the burgeoning MICE industry promises to persuade increasing numbers of business travelers to make Incheon their chosen destination in Korea.
Read This Next
Alpine Country Club Review
August 2016
Aug 1, 2016Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedHotels
Nov 14, 2024Six Senses Hotel to Debut in London Next Year
Next year, Six Senses, the luxury hotel and spa brand from IHG Hotels & Resorts, makes its entrance into several popular destinations, including London. In fact, the debut of Six Senses London in the first half of 2025 will be the brand’s first hotel in the United Kingdom.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
Daily
Nov 13, 2024Discover the Birthplace of Cacao in Ecuador
Chocolate is made from cacao beans and Ecuador, the birthplace of cacao, has long been a significant player in the world of chocolate. Although historians once believed cacao was first used by Mesoamerican cultures, more recent studies from scientists around the world confirmed the cacao bean was first cultivated by indigenous tribes in what is now Ecuador.
November 2024
Nov 13, 2024Drink It All in During a Stay at Hotel Manapany on Swanky St.-Barth
Vacationers travel to the posh island of St.-Barth for its ritzy shops, tucked-away local beaches and elevated cuisine melding classic French technique with flavorful Caribbean ingredients. Guests staying at Hôtel Manapany, an eco-focused boutique property on picturesque Anse des Cayes beach, can also sip their way through beverages that showcase these two distinct yet remarkably harmonious cultures.
Sponsored Content
Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems
Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.
November 2024
Nov 13, 2024İstanbul Magically Integrates Past and Present, East and West
The breathtaking Bosporus Strait divides Europe and Asia in İstanbul, the former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires, a city where trade has been intrinsic to the global bridge since the advent of the Silk Road and the Spice Route.
Hard Rock Hotel Marbella Review
eFlyer Reviews
Nov 13, 2024Why You Should Visit Grindelwald Christmas Market
Daily
Nov 13, 2024eFlyer Deals
Nov 13, 2024Limited-Time Offer from Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
This season, Chase IHG One Rewards credit cards introduce a new welcome offer on the brand’s Traveler Credit Card. With this new offer, new cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
eFlyer Deals
Nov 13, 2024Snag Black Friday Deals at 2 San Diego Hotels
San Diego embraces Black Friday with exclusive deals at two popular upscale hotels. At Kona Kai San Diego, on the tip of the city’s Shelter Island, guests who book between Nov. 28 and Dec. 3 can receive either a refundable up to 25 percent off or up to a 30 percent non-refundable discount on the best available room rate.
ShareThis