Even though it was ranked fifth by the Union of International Associations (UIA) for the high number of international meetings it hosted in 2010, Seoul is not resting on its laurels with new venues opening up to widen its appeal as a MICE destination.
 
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Designed by famous architect Zaha Hadid, Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a perfect building for a city that was designated as the World Design Capital 2010 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. Located in Dongdaemun, Seoul’s leading fashion district, the building will be completed in 2013 and will be a new landmark for the city and a global design icon. Paul Kang, a director at Seoul Design Foundation, says: “Dongdaemun already has large numbers of people visiting for both business and culture activities. We wanted to create a venue that will attract such groups for conferences, launch shows and more. The delegates can take part in culture and shopping tours around the area as well.”
 
Measuring 85,000 sqm and featuring a roof covered by over 45,000 aluminium panels, the plaza includes the 37,000 sqm Dongdaemun History & Culture Park. The plaza is divided into three parts: one for conventions, one for exhibitions and another for educational activities. It has three levels and two basement levels, but the sections vary in height due to the building’s distinctive architectural design. In particular, the exhibition hall has four floors that are joined together in a spiral, part of Hadid’s intent to blur the divide between each level.
 
Floating island
The Floating Island will open next month as part of the Han River Renaissance project. Measuring 9,200 sqm, it resembles a giant flower when viewed from above and has three islets named Vista, Tera and Veva for the convention centre, theatre and marine sports site, all joined together by walkways.
 
Korail Convention Center
The city will open a new convention centre in 2014 that will be Seoul’s biggest. Located at Seoul Station, Korea’s main railway station that connects it to the rest of the country, the venue will offer 23,000 sqm of conference space, including an international conference centre that can seat 3,000 people, and has 16,000 sqm of exhibition space.
 
Hotel updates
Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel will open in September, adding an additional 269 rooms to the city. The hotel will take up floors 27 to 41 of an office tower in the D Cube City complex, with the main lobby on the 41st floor and the swimming pool and spa on floors 27 and 28. The property will include a grand ballroom that can fit 900 people theatre style and 510 people for a banquet.
 
InterContinental Seoul Coex has begun a renovation plan for all its rooms, with the first phase due for completion in early 2012. All rooms will be renovated by mid-2012. Grand Ambassador Seoul, part of the Pullman brand, will continue with a renovation plan until December 2011 that will see more of its guestrooms and functions rooms being revamped.