Venue

Sphere Abu Dhabi to Open on Yas Island in 2029 — First Sphere Development Project Outside the United States Expected to Support MICE Events with Capacity of Up to 20,000

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced Sphere Abu Dhabi, the first Sphere development project to be built outside the United States. Approximately USD 1.7 billion will be invested during the construction phase of the project ahead of its planned opening in 2029. Equipped with cutting-edge immersive technology, the venue is...

【On-the-Ground Report】A Comprehensive Guide to Major MICE Facilities and Unique Venues in Busan, South Korea, Featuring Over 70 Images (BEXCO, BPEX, Nurimaru, and More)

Every autumn, the Busan International Film Festival brings together approximately 12,000 industry professionals from around the world and attracts nearly 200,000 spectators, generating a high level of enthusiasm across the city. Busan’s profile continues to rise internationally, extending beyond Asia. Today, Busan is increasingly recognized as one of Asia’s leading MICE cities. The city offers...

Pokémon’s First Outdoor Theme Park, PokéPark KANTO, to Open in Spring 202626-Hectare Facility Planned Within Yomiuriland

The Pokémon Company has announced the opening of PokéPark KANTO, the first outdoor facility dedicated to Pokémon.The new park is scheduled to open in spring 2026 and will be developed on a site of approximately 2.6 hectares within Yomiuriland, an amusement park located in western Tokyo. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale starting in...

How to Create Memorable Events with Historic and Experiential Event Venues

What Are Unique Venues? Unique venues refer to event locations that offer distinctive experiences beyond conventional meeting rooms or hotel banquet halls. These venues include places that are not typically used for events, such as historic buildings, museums, industrial heritage sites, gardens set in natural surroundings, and even waterfront facilities. By utilizing spaces with cultural,...

Japan’s MICE Venues See a Wave of Environmental Certifications: TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO and Sapporo Convention Center Earn LEED Gold

Japan’s events and MICE sector is accelerating efforts to benchmark venue sustainability against international standards. In December 2025, major facilities in Tokyo and Sapporo announced they had attained Gold-level certification under the globally recognized LEED rating system. This milestone—achieved by a newly built arena and an existing convention center with distinct characteristics—highlights significant progress on...

MICE TIMES ONLINE

スマホアプリができました

MICE TIMES ONLINEがスマホアプリになりました。いつでも手軽に業界ニュースにふれることができます。利用料金は一切かかりません

Opening Event Report: STATION Ai, Aichi–Nagoya’s Startup Support Facility, Opens — Seven Standout Features We Found On Site

I’m Fujii, Editor-in-Chief of MICE TIMES ONLINE. Are you familiar with STATION Ai (ステーション エーアイ), the startup support hub that opened on October 1, 2024 in Tsuruma Park, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture? To commemorate the opening, an inaugural event was held from November 1 to 2, 2024. Along with coverage of that event, this article introduces...

Overseas Report: Busan’s Ocean-View Workation Center — A Business Base That Shows the City’s Potential Beyond Tourism (Location, Facilities, and User Feedback)

Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city. From Japan it’s an easy trip by air or ferry, which makes it a popular overseas destination. Yet its role as a stage for business is less well known. Our editorial team visited a workation center in Busan—a place you can use as a first step for doing business—and...