MICE is rapidly growing across the world, including in India
To tap the rapidly rising global MICE business, FCM Meetings & Events has embarked on a global relaunch, seeking to expand its business worldwide.
In a press statement, FCM Meetings & Events, a division of FCM Travel, says that ahead of its global relaunch, a survey of Flight Centre Corporate clients showed that more than a quarter of customers allocated 50 pc of their travel budgets to MICE.
The statement adds that the survey conducted on 562 respondents including corporate traveller and FCM Travel customers, specifically travel managers, decision-makers, and authorised travel bookers also states that while 11 pc businesses allocate a sum between 25-50 pc on MICE, 10 pc respondents reveal that they only spend 15-25 pc in this sector.
The statement adds that Simone Seiler, Global General Manager, FCM Meetings & Events, says the findings came when the business was repositioning worldwide to deliver a unified offering, leveraging itself as a subsidiary of FCM Travel, and harnessing its global scale, but with regional customisation.
Simone Seiler
“Globalising the FCM M&E business will allow us to add consistency and scale for customers looking for a global meetings and events provider, with hub offices in all four regions, global consistency but local nuance to understand specific client needs,” Seiler says.
“We now operate in more than a dozen countries globally, with future expansion plans in the works. Australia, India, and Mexico are currently thriving for us, and we see North America, Asia, and Europe as key regions with the largest opportunities for growth. FCM M&E is targetting exponential growth and we’re already expanding into the likes of United Arab Emirates and South Africa – which will allow us to expand our workforce to the more than 365 that we already have servicing our valued customers,’’ Seiler adds.
“Our global vision for the future of meetings and travel management is centred around innovation, sustainability, accessibility and seamless integration of technology like our new FCM Venue Finder platform to enhance the overall experience for our clients. By combining our expertise in event management with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability, we aim to lead the industry in creating future-proof, impactful and responsible meetings and events,” says Seiler.
The statement adds that as part of the global relaunch, FCM Meetings & Events has now appointed Joanne Shaw as its new Global Director of Enterprise Sales in its London office. Seiler says Shaw enjoys extensive experience in both sales and account management.
“Joanne brings a wealth of MICE industry knowledge to drive strategic growth, articulating the MICE value proposition, excelling at building multi-level relationships, and stakeholder management. Her dedication to understanding client needs and crafting tailored solutions will play a key role,” says Seiler.
FCM says that the MICE business in India too has been growing rapidly and the company is focussing on developing this segment in India as well. “Domestically, we at FCM are prioritising India as a key hub for MICE activities. The government is actively enhancing infrastructure and approving premier MICE venues like Yasho Bhoomi in Delhi and Jio in Mumbai. This has, in turn, spurred growth in the MICE and weddings sector, resulting in increased footfall,’’ says Jude D’Souza, FCM Meetings & Events Leader for India.
Jude D’Souza
“Gone are the days when a typical MICE tour was limited to sightseeing and a single gala dinner. The contemporary MICE experience includes a variety of impactful events at select locations or stand-alone venues, team-building engagements, wellness workshops, and sessions with celebrity speakers. This multifaceted approach enriches the overall experience, making it both memorable and meaningful,’’ adds D’Souza.
“Clients are seeking a comprehensive global program that consolidates what is often fragmented. I am thrilled about Joanne joining our team to demonstrate the global solutions we offer as part of our mission to truly globalise FCM Meetings & Events,” D’Souza says.
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