THE HISTORY OF MICE TOURISM

Summary

The history of meetings and events dates back to ancient times, where early gatherings focused on communal interests such as hunting and peace negotiations. The first recorded event was a three-day street festival in ancient Rome in 167 B.C. Over centuries, cities like Rome became hubs for significant meetings, including the first Nicea Council in 325 CE. The concept of MICE tourism began to shape in the 19th century with the Congress of Vienna, while in the U.S., the first convention bureau was established in 1896. By the 1960s, international conventions and exhibitions started booming, with notable growth in Asia.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cities, hotels, and resorts have become popular venues for meetings and conventions.
• 😀 A career in meetings and events only became recognized as a profession about 30 years ago.
• 😀 Meetings and events have existed for centuries, dating back to ancient times with communal discussions.
• 😀 The first recorded event dates back to 167 B.C. in ancient Rome, celebrating L. Aemilius Paullus' victory over the Macedonians.
• 😀 Roman celebrations were extravagant, featuring parades, fine wines, gourmet food, and exotic animals.
• 😀 Local Romans worked together to organize the celebrations, showcasing early event planning efforts.
• 😀 The first major religious council, the Council of Nicea, was convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE with 318 participants.
• 😀 Cities like Rome, with landmarks like the Roman Forum and Comitium, became centers for meetings in ancient times.
• 😀 The modern history of conventions began with the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, marking the start of significant MICE tourism.
• 😀 Detroit established the first convention bureau in 1896 to promote and manage conventions, influencing other cities to follow suit.
• 😀 The National Cash Register (NCR) launched the first formal incentive travel program in 1902, further advancing the industry.
• 😀 The International Association of Convention Bureau (IACB) was founded in 1914, evolving into the Destination Marketing Association International in 2004.
• 😀 By the 1960s, long-distance incentive trips and international conventions began to take shape, particularly in Asia.

Q & A

When did a career in meetings and events become considered a profession?

A career in meetings and events was not considered a profession until about 30 years ago.

What were some of the purposes of meetings in ancient times?

In ancient times, meetings were held to discuss communal interests such as hunting plans, war activities, peace negotiations, and tribal celebrations.

What was the first recorded event in history?

The first recorded event can be traced back to ancient Rome in 167 B.C., when a three-day street festival celebrated L. Aemilius Paullus' victory over the Macedonians.

What were some highlights of the celebration in ancient Rome during the 167 B.C. festival?

The festival included people wearing gaudy apparel, drinking fine wines, eating gourmet food, parading exotic animals, and the Roman hero being driven in a white chariot pulled by four white horses.

What role did local Romans play in the ancient Roman celebrations?

Local Romans worked together to plan each piece of the celebration, showcasing early examples of event planning.

What was the first council of significance in history, and when was it convened?

The first significant council was the First Nicea Council, convened by Emperor Constantine the Great in 325 CE with 318 participants.

Which Roman sites were known for hosting meetings?

Rome had its Roman Forum and Comitium as prominent locations for meetings.

When and where did the modern convention industry begin?

The modern convention industry began with the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, which marked a significant development in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism.

What role did Detroit play in the development of conventions in the U.S.?

Detroit established the first convention bureau in 1896, a government authority to promote and manage conventions, influencing many other cities to follow suit.

How did the convention and exhibition industry evolve in Asia?

The convention and exhibition industry in Asia experienced stronger-than-average growth from the 1960s, although convention activity was limited until the 1950s due to the impact of the World Wars.