Update February, 2011 Chiba, Japan: your diverse and affordable MICE destination in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.

This e-newsletter provides useful information updates and new ideas to organizers of all kinds of meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). The Chiba Convention Bureau would love to help you make your next MICE event a big success!

≪NEWS≫

Tokyo Disney Sea 10th Anniversary Tokyo DisneySea, which had its grand opening on September 4, 2001, will hold the yearlong 10th anniversary special event—“Be Magical!” from April 23, 2011 through March 19, 2012. Tokyo DisneySea is a richly imaginative world of adventure, romance, discovery and fun—a celebration of the myths and realities of the sea in the grand tradition of Disney family entertainment. The second Disney Park in Japan, and the first Disney Park to be inspired by legends of the sea, it is located adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland, on the shores of Tokyo Bay. Also at Tokyo Disneyland, new attraction “Mickey’s Philhar Magic”, a theater-type attraction employing Disney’s 3-D technology has just opened on January 24, 2011. Tokyo Disney Resort is located only 60 minutes from Narita Airport, and 15 minutes from Tokyo Station. Here you’ll find two all-time favorite theme parks, experience the amazing and fantastical performances— “ZED” at Cirque du Soleil® Theatre Tokyo, unique dining and a variety of shops at IKSPIARI, and accommodations including the Disney Hotels.

Chiba City Ranked 11th in Japan According to the 2009 international convention statics of JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization), Chiba City was ranked 11th in Japan in number of conventions held. ’s Kashiwa City also made the list, ranking 19th in the statistics. Chiba City is the home of , a comprehensive convention complex with 3 large-scale facilities– the International Exhibition Hall, International Conference Hall, and Makuhari Event Hall – as well as a number of universities and hotels. We look forward to welcoming more guests to Chiba from abroad.

≪BUREAU ACTIVITY≫

Trade Show 2011 CCB representatives will be attending the following trade shows to represent Chiba in 2011. We look forward to meeting MICE organizers from around the world. Please contact us for appointments: [email protected] IT＆CM China Apr. 13-15 Shanghai, China

IMEX’11 May 24-26 Frankfurt, Germany

CIBTM Aug. 30-Sep.1 Beijing, China

IMEX America Oct. 11-13 Las Vegas, USA

Thank you at IME2010 The 20th International Meeting Expo (IME2010), Japan’s annual MICE destination tradeshow was held on December 7 and 8 at the Tokyo International Forum. We would like to express our great thanks to all those who came to our booth and hope to see you again soon.

≪ MICE REPORT≫

MOBAC SHOW 2011 2011 MACHINERY, MATERIALS, MARKETING OF BAKERY AND CONFECTIONERY SHOW (MOBAC SHOW 2011), the only exhibition in Japan for the bakery and confectionery industries, will be held at Makuhari Messe from February 16 to 19. MOBAC SHOW has been held every two yeas in Tokyo and Osaka since 1971. This year’s theme is “Bread of Confectionery Making Backed by the Japanese High Technology”. For more information see: http://www.mobacshow.com/index_e.html

FOODEX JAPAN 2011(The 36th International Food and Beverage Exhibition) FOODEX JAPAN will be held again at Makuhari Messe from March 1 to 4. FOODEX JAPAN is the largest food and beverage show in the Asia- Pacific region for trade professionals and has a 35 year history. It welcomes about 2,100 exhibitors from 60 countries and regions, and draws 80,000 professional visitors. FOODEX JAPAN is the place where international producers and buyers meet to do business. Please visit the website at: http://www.jma.or.jp/foodex/

Tabi (Travel) Fair 2011 The Tabi Fair, an annual exhibition of travelling service and related products will return to Chiba during May 27-29 at Makuhari Messe. Last year, 120,832 visitors gathered for Tabi Fair 2010 in Makuhari Messe. For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit the website at: http://www.tabifair.net/ (Japanese).

======Year of Rabbits 2011 is the Year of Rabbits in Japan. The Year of the Rabbits refers to the Chinese Zodiac, which runs on a twelve year cycle. The twelve signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. May your 2011 turn out to be the happiest and the best for you. ======

If you are interested in the Chiba or Tokyo area for one of your future MICE* events, please contact [email protected]. ＊MICE: Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, Events / Exhibitions

Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center (CCB-IC) 14th Marive East, WBG, 2-6 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City 261-7114 Japan Tel: +81-43-297-2751 Fax: +81-43-297-2753 http://www.ccb.or.jp/e