From July 6 to 9, 2026, the "Galaxy Tour"—a premier international MICE customer exchange platform developed by GL events to foster global industry connectivity—was successfully held in Beijing and Guangzhou. Jointly organized by GL events, GZCCI GROUP, and Beijing Capital Group Exhibitions & Events, the event gathered key representatives from prestigious international organizations and industry institutions across the global conference, exhibition, and sports sectors. Through comprehensive venue inspections, industry exchanges, business matchmaking, and immersive urban experiences, the delegation gained a profound understanding of the development opportunities within China's MICE market while jointly exploring new horizons for international cooperation.
Uniting Global Industry Leaders to Outline the Future of MICE
The "Galaxy Tour" is a landmark international client exchange platform created by GL events. This year's initiative united the world's four most authoritative industry associations: the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). It also brought together senior executives from globally renowned MICE and event service giants, including Kenes, Congrex, HelmsBriscoe, Maritz, MCI, and Hyrox, spanning international conferences, trade shows, corporate events, and sports games.
Leveraging the Dual-City Synergy to Demonstrate GL events' Operational Excellence
During the tour, the international delegation conducted field inspections of three flagship venues managed and operated by GL events in China: the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (CIECC), Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center (GYICC), and Guangzhou Aerotropolis Expo Center (GAEC).
These three venues, strategically positioned in a central urban district, a major international aviation hub, and a capital-level international exchange center respectively, fully demonstrated GL events’integrated capabilities in deepening venue operations, importing global resources, and managing large-scale events. They also showcased the group's robust development achievements in continuously optimizing its MICE industry footprint in China.
Building International Platforms to Facilitate Precision Matchmaking
High-level MICE industry exchange and business matchmaking activities were organized in both Beijing and Guangzhou. Local government authorities presented their industrial policies, international event support measures, and urban competitive advantages, engaging in deep dialogues with international industry organizations, event hosts, and corporate representatives to explore collaboration opportunities.
The Beijing Session: Supported by the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and the People's Government of Shunyi District. Government representatives shared key insights on Beijing's MICE policies, supportive measures, the development of the International Exchange Center, and regional growth advantages, showcasing Beijing's achievements in optimizing its international business environment and elevating its capacity to host global MICE events.
The Guangzhou Session: Strongly supported by the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, Guangzhou Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Guangzhou Airport Economic Zone Management Committee, Guangzhou Municipal "Double Hundred and Thousand Project" Command Office, and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government. The authorities delivered comprehensive presentations on Guangzhou's industrial strengths, supportive policies for international congresses, the development of the Airport Economic Zone, and the city's internationalized growth, highlighting Guangzhou's competitiveness as a premier international congress destination.
Concurrently, the Galaxy Tour organized multiple rounds of targeted one-on-one business matchmaking sessions, bridging local industry associations, event organizers, and key domestic enterprises with international clients. These sessions aimed to facilitate the landing of premium global conference resources in China while empowering Chinese MICE projects and industrial resources to expand globally.
Immersive Urban Experiences Powering International Collaboration
Beyond professional business exchanges, the international guests experienced firsthand the unique dynamism of Beijing and Guangzhou.
In Beijing, the delegation visited iconic capital landmarks and cultural neighborhoods to appreciate the city's environment and heritage as an international exchange center. In Guangzhou, they toured the Haixinsha Omnipresence Intelligent Experience Center, visited the Canton Tower, and enjoyed a Pearl River night cruise, soaking in the city's technological innovation and urban charm.
By blending industrial site inspections with immersive cultural experiences, the global guests gained a comprehensive perspective on China's holistic advantages in hosting international conferences, exhibitions, and major public events.
Co-Writing the Future of Global MICE Collaboration
As a leading global MICE player, GL events consistently adheres to the philosophy of "Global Networking, Local Operations," leveraging its vast global network and rich project management expertise to drive the deep integration of international resources with the Chinese market.
With the successful conclusion of the Galaxy Tour, municipal representatives from Beijing and Guangzhou, alongside the executive management of GL events, expressed their shared commitment to deepening international cooperation, maximizing mutual advantages, and fostering the connection of premium global resources with the Chinese market to elevate China's global influence in the MICE industry.
Tang Wenhong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, noted that Beijing, backed by its positioning as an international exchange center, will continuously optimize its MICE industry ecosystem and international congress service systems, deepening international exchanges to create more opportunities for the global MICE industry. Luo Zheng, Deputy Director General of the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau, remarked that Guangzhou will continue to leverage its robust industrial foundation, premium business environment, and "MICE +" integrated development advantages to actively attract high-level international conferences, exhibitions, and sports events to settle in Guangzhou, thereby enhancing its stature as a global congress destination.
Clément GUERCI, Deputy Managing Director of GL events Venues, stated that the Galaxy Tour fully demonstrated GL events' capacity to integrate global resources to serve local markets. Looking ahead, the group will continue to utilize platforms like GYICC, GAEC, and CIECC to bring more premium global congresses, exhibitions, and sports resources to China. Romain Peiffert, CEO of GL events Greater China, concluded: "The success of the Galaxy Tour marks a new milestone in building robust international cooperation platforms and driving global industry integration for GL events. Moving forw