The Third Chairperson’s Forum on MICE

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO), organised the fourth and fifth SLCB Chairperson’s Forum on MICE at Taj Samudra Colombo on 29th November 2021. The forum was held over two distinct sessions – comprised of dialogues and discussions on ‘State Mechanism for MICE Development in Sri Lanka’ and ‘MICE Economic Development through Higher Educational Institutions’ respectively.

The fourth SLCB Chairperson’s Forum on MICE featured a panel of expert speakers including Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Ms. Kimarli Fernando, Tourism Ministry Acting Secretary Mr. D.L. Sannasooriya, SLAPCEO Secretary Ms. Nadeeka Leeniyagoda, Sri Lankan Holidays Manager Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, and Sri Lanka Accounting & Auditing Standards 14 Monitoring Board Director General Ms. Anusha Mohotti. Attendees included a gathering of key representatives from state entities in Sri Lanka.

The last Forum of the series, which is the fifth SLCB Chairperson’s Forum on MICE hosted in the afternoon at Taj Samudra Colombo amidst a gathering of key individuals from educational institutions, sought to educate on how to organise an international conference in Sri Lanka. Dr. Shaffaath Amidon spoke on the role of higher educational institutions to develop MICE tourism in Sri Lanka and urged them to make Sri Lanka a ‘knowledge hub’. Ms. Anusha Mohotti’s segment comprised ‘Experience sharing – Bidding and winning an International Conference to Sri Lanka’. Sharing her experience successfully securing the opportunity to host an event in Sri Lanka. Drawing attention to the varied scope of tourism avenues, Ms. Nadeeka Leeniyagoda showcased the benefits for the country including profit, awareness and the platform to build its profile.