The 'intimate' lobby of the Shanghai Expo Convention Centre

'Plastic-bag' art in the Mercedes Benz Arena

'Era of Kaleido' at Shanghai Gong

Before the conference has even begun, international buyers at this year’s IT&CM in Shanghai have been given a glimpse of what the city has to offer its MICE visitors.
 
The first IT&CM pre-show tour begins at the Shanghai Expo Centre, which is huge, even by Shanghai standards. Built on the banks of the Huangpu River for the 2010 World Expo, the venue is proof, if any were needed, that China does nothing in half measures. Its enormous function halls and ‘smaller’ meeting rooms may seem ostentatious, but the centre is ‘green’ at heart, the venue the first of its kind in China to be awarded a three-star green building design certification. Natural lighting throughout every room is just one of the venue’s eco-friendly features.      

Just down Expo Avenue, and somewhat smaller, is the Mercedes Benz Arena. Now primarily used for concerts, the venue played host to some 350 shows during the World Expo. With a capacity of 18,000, it may be a little too big for today’s buyers though. The arena’s South Memory restaurant hosts lunch, which is as delicious as it is never-ending – local Chinese cuisine at its best (and most).   

The second pre-show tour comprises dinner (again, never-ending) at the excellent Shun Feng restaurant in the heart of downtown Shanghai, before moving on to the recently renovated Shanghai Gong Stage for what is billed as an “acrobatic” performance.

At 100 minutes long, the multi-media “Era of Kaleido” show combines amazing Chinese acrobatics, martial arts, modern dance, and even a touch of humour, as it winds its way through its Chinese motif. The eye-opening performance is the perfect metaphor for the country’s growing MICE industry.

Click here to view the photo gallery from IT&CM's Welcome Dinner