Seoul hosts high-security UN event

by Shannon Sweeney    13-Oct-09, 12:17

Korean MICE skills impress international delegates

Event The 39th Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)
Organiser Hancomm
Venue Plaza Hotel, Seoul
Attendees 122 delegates  from 49 countries
Date August 10-12



The brief
The 39th Plenary Assembly of WFUNA was hosted by the UNA-Republic of Korea in Seoul. The Plenary Assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of WFUNA, was chaired by the outgoing president, Hans Blix. The Plenary Assembly is required to make difficult decisions about policy priorities and programme direction for the organisation for the next three years.

Challenges
Teams were needed to escort VIP guests such as UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and the prime minister of the Republic of Korea, Han Seung-soo. Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) was required to measure VIP traffic flow through prior field surveys of the venue and on the day of the main event.

Numerous security checkpoints were also set-up to ensure the safety of the visitors. Many extra guests attended the opening ceremony, resulting in staff needing to rapidly rearrange table settings and add chairs.

The tight schedule included 20 conferences with lunches and dinners in three days, which required complete cooperation from the hotel and thorough training of 40 staff to carry out the programmes.

Execution
For several months prior to the event, STO worked closely with WFUNA’s executive office and the UNA-Republic of Korea to prepare for the gathering. Thirteen banquet halls at Plaza Hotel were required, with the hotel being booked exclusively for WFUNA.

The opening ceremony and plenary sessions were held in the Grand Ballroom and an exhibition zone was created near the main entrance to display posters, books and souvenirs from the 50 participating nations along with televisions showing visual content.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony and addresses were made by the president of the UNA-Republic of Korea, Kim Seung-Youn, the outgoing president of WFUNA Hans Blix, and the prime minister of the Republic of Korea Han Seung-soo.

A dinner was held on the same day for 340 delegates. A live performance of classical music lightened the atmosphere. At the closing ceremony, the president of the UNA-Republic of Korea, Kim Seung-Yeon, presented a plaque of thanks to the Board Members of WFUNA for hosting a successful event.

Comment
Park Soo Gil, new president of WFUNA, says: “During my presidency at WFUNA, I will work closely with the Korean government to carry out my duties and responsibilities on the international stage. Also it is now being acknowledged that the recovery of Korea’s economy is fastest in this global financial recession.”

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