Uganda has taken part in the IMEX – Frankfurt, one of the largest trade shows in Europe for the meetings and events industry that brings together global event planners and buyers with significant spending power.
The exhibition that started on May 23 – 25, has created awareness of Uganda as a competitive destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and envisaged to benefit the MICE community in the country.
Uganda was represented by a delegation from Uganda Convention Bureau (UCB) headed by UTB Board chairman, Hon. Migereko Daudi, Director Chemonges Sabilla and DCEO Bradford Ochieng together with Private sector players under UCB.
The Deputy Head of Mission in Germany, Amb.
Danny M. Ssozi, visited the Ugandan contingent for the entire duration of exhibition.
The MICE Private sector players included Speke Resort Munyonyo, Signature Africa, Gazelle Safaris company, Wuza Events, Let’s Go Travel, Horn Bill Safari Company, Lake Kitandara Tour and Travel, and Gofan safari.
The Chairman Board of Directors, Hon. Daudi Migereko, on IMEX sidelines highlighted the importance of the multiple engagements the Ugandan team has had through the duration of the exhibition to cause awareness of the country as an ideal MICE destination.
“The country’s appearance at the
expo enables UCB to gain access to thousands of pre-qualified hosted buyers and receive personal support to ensure return on investment. The expo boasts a business-to-business exhibition interface supported by networking and professional education events,” he said.
He noted that the exhibition offers a platform of the global Hosted Buyer Program that is designed to attract high standing visitors.
Team Uganda stand was busy with numerous engagements and presentations undertaken by the representatives at the IMEX to visitors from around the globe.
The Deputy CEO UTB explained that the development of the MICE tourism sector in Uganda offered an enormous opportunity to diversify Uganda’s tourism offering thus deepening and sustaining its tourism success.
“The provision of new business opportunities, building human resources, stimulating economic growth and earning significant additional tourism revenues as core as the country joins the league of preferred MICE Tourism destinations,” he said.
Mr. Boniface Byamukama, the Vice Chairperson Uganda Hotel Owners Association, explained that Uganda’s international MICE tourism image is key to improved its success in the sector by activating key strategies for MICE promotion and marketing.
Uganda Convention Bureau started on the implementation of the Business Plan this FY 2022/2023 by making targeted and consistent efforts towards generating potential sales leads.
The last day named ‘Africa Day’ has had a lot of participation with overwhelming visitation to the Uganda Convention Bureau stand.
A number of presentations have been made to prospective industry business partners with multiple inquires to visit and conduct MICE events in Uganda.