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iHuman Inc. Announces First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

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BEIJING, June 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — iHuman Inc. (NYSE: IH) (“iHuman” or the “Company”), a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

Revenues were RMB235.0 million (US$32.5 million), compared with RMB265.2 million in the same period last year.Gross profit was RMB168.1 million (US$23.3 million), compared with RMB185.6 million in the same period last year.Operating income was RMB17.5 million (US$2.4 million), compared with RMB56.7 million in the same period last year.Net income was RMB22.3 million (US$3.1 million), compared with RMB53.6 million in the same period last year.Average total MAUs[1] reached a record-high of 26.38 million, a year-over-year increase of 25.1%.

 

[1] “Average total MAUs” refers to the monthly average of the sum of the MAUs of each of the Company’s apps during a specific period, which is counted based on the number of unique mobile devices through which such app is accessed at least once in a given month, and duplicate access to different apps is not eliminated from the total MAUs calculation.

 

Dr. Peng Dai, Director and Chief Executive Officer of iHuman, commented, “We started 2024 on a positive note, as our team precisely and efficiently executed our product roadmap to ensure our continued leadership in capturing user engagement. Central to our industry-leading product offerings are our high-quality content and advanced technological capabilities. In the first quarter, we continued to drive meaningful enhancements to our portfolio by leveraging these two strengths. Specifically, we intensified efforts to enhance our AI technologies and deepened their integration into our products to provide more dynamic and personalized experiences for our users. In June, we launched a brand-new product, iHuman Smart Coder, a full-year course developed and designed by iHuman’s stellar team that was led by graduates from Tsinghua University. This course is designed to foster a scientific mindset and digital literacy for children by blending curated content with innovative, exploratory, interactive, and immersive activities. With a scientifically-structured curriculum benchmarked against accredited proficiency exams, the course aims to transform kids from coding novices to proficient problem solvers prepared for a digitalized future. It also offers kids comprehensive support through a three-tiered system: a chatbot for immediate queries, a real-time code debugging feature powered by our proprietary large language model, and personalized guidance from seasoned instructors. We are confident that this course will equip the young minds with the skills and confidence to navigate an ever-evolving futuristic world.

We have also enriched our existing products with more AI-enabled experiences. Within iHuman Magic Thinking, we introduced “Challenge”, a new AI-powered feature that focuses on number literacy. Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, the new feature dynamically adapts the difficulty of questions to users’ level, ensuring that young learners remain appropriately challenged. This facilitates effective practice while preventing kids from becoming excessively frustrated, thus maintaining their engagement and enthusiasm.

Beyond our domestic efforts, expanding our presence in international markets continues to be our strategic priority. Adhering to our product-driven strategy, we continued to drive market penetration by strengthening our product pipeline to meet the unique needs of international users. We recently expanded the Aha World brand with Aha Makeover, a customizable, DIY-fashion design app that offers young children a dynamic platform to unlock their creativity through personalized virtual styling experiences. Kids can choose from a diverse array of avatars, personalize their hairstyles, decorate their avatar with different accessories, and experiment with an extensive wardrobe for various occasions. Our cutting-edge AR technology then seamlessly integrates virtual and physical elements, offering kids an interactive experience where their creations come to life.

Furthermore, we are making more selected domestic products which we believe have cross-border appeal and audiences available beyond the Chinese mainland market. For example, we have recently rolled out bekids Library, the adapted version of iHuman Readers, a comprehensive leveled English reading app that we collaborate on with Oxford University Press. Now available in Macau and Taiwan, it offers a curated collection of more than 1,000 graded readers from Oxford University Press and caters to different proficiency levels and interests. bekids Library also allows kids to record and listen their independent reading, personalizing the reading experience for every child.

Moving forward, our focus remains on enhancing our core competencies and creating high-quality and popular products to promote the holistic development of young children.”

Ms. Vivien Weiwei Wang, Director and Chief Financial Officer of iHuman, added, “Throughout the first quarter, our steadfast commitment to product excellence continued to propel our business forward. Supported by high levels of user satisfaction and loyalty, our average total MAUs reached a record-high of 26.38 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 25.1%. Additionally, we recorded profitability for the ninth consecutive quarter. With ongoing profitability and healthy cash reserves, we have stepped up investments in several key strategic priorities. These include advancing AI research and development to elevate product value and user experience, expanding our product range to cater to a broader age demographic and increase total addressable market, and intensifying international marketing efforts to bolster our brand recognition globally. While these increased investments may temporarily impact our short-term profitability, we believe they are crucial for reinforcing our industry leadership, sustaining our long-term growth, and creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Revenues

Revenues were RMB235.0 million (US$32.5 million), a decrease of 11.4% from RMB265.2 million in the same period last year, primarily reflecting the ongoing normalization from the exceptional performance in the same period last year, which was caused by a heightened demand driven by more indoor activities during the pandemic. 

Average total MAUs for the quarter reached a record-high of 26.38 million, an increase of 25.1% year-over-year from 21.09 million in the same period last year.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues was RMB66.9 million (US$9.3 million), a decrease of 16.0% from RMB79.6 million in the same period last year, primarily due to decreased channel costs.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit was RMB168.1 million (US$23.3 million), compared with RMB185.6 million in the same period last year. Gross margin was 71.5%, compared with 70.0% in the same period last year.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB150.6 million (US$20.9 million), an increase of 16.9% from RMB128.8 million in the same period last year.

Research and development expenses were RMB67.9 million (US$9.4 million), an increase of 10.1% year-over-year from RMB61.7 million in the same period last year, primarily due to increased payroll related expenses.  

Sales and marketing expenses were RMB55.0 million (US$7.6 million), an increase of 36.0% from RMB40.4 million in the same period last year, primarily due to increased strategic spending on promotional activities, brand enhancement, and overseas expansion.

General and administrative expenses were RMB27.7 million (US$3.8 million), compared with RMB26.7 million in the same period last year.

Operating Income

Operating income was RMB17.5 million (US$2.4 million), compared with RMB56.7 million in the same period last year.

Net Income

Net income was RMB22.3 million (US$3.1 million), compared with RMB53.6 million in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were RMB0.42 (US$0.06) and RMB0.41 (US$0.06), respectively, compared with RMB1.01 and RMB0.98 in the same period last year. Each ADS represents five Class A ordinary shares of the Company.

Deferred Revenue and Customer Advances

Deferred revenue and customer advances were RMB313.8 million (US$43.5 million) as of March 31, 2024, compared with RMB318.6 million as of December 31, 2023.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Time Deposits

Cash, cash equivalents and time deposits were RMB1,131.3 million (US$156.7 million) as of March 31, 2024, compared with RMB1,213.8 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the payment of annual bonuses to employees in the first quarter.

Exchange Rate Information

The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the reader. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of March 29, 2024, which was RMB7.2203 to US$1.00. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

iHuman considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS, as supplemental metrics in reviewing and assessing its operating performance and formulating its business plan. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). iHuman defines adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS as operating income, net income and diluted net income per ADS excluding share-based compensation expenses, respectively. Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per ADS enable iHuman’s management to assess its operating results without considering the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which are non-cash charges. iHuman believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors in understanding and evaluating the Company’s current operating performance and prospects in the same manner as management does, if they so choose.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, which possibly do not reflect all items of expense that affect our operations. Share-based compensation expenses have been and may continue to be incurred in our business and are not reflected in the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures iHuman uses may differ from the non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates”  and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about iHuman’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the description of the management’s quotations in this announcement contains forward-looking statements. iHuman may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: iHuman’s growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to attract and retain users, convert non-paying users into paying users and increase the spending of paying users, the trends in, and size of, the market in which iHuman operates; its expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; its expectations regarding its relationships with business partners; general economic and business conditions; regulatory environment; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in iHuman’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and iHuman does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About iHuman Inc.

iHuman Inc. is a leading provider of tech-powered, intellectual development products in China that is committed to making the child-upbringing experience easier for parents and transforming intellectual development into a fun journey for children. Benefiting from a deep legacy that combines over two decades of experience in the parenthood industry, superior original content, advanced high-tech innovation DNA and research & development capabilities with cutting-edge technologies, iHuman empowers parents with tools to make the child-upbringing experience more efficient. iHuman’s unique, fun and interactive product offerings stimulate children’s natural curiosity and exploration. The Company’s comprehensive suite of innovative and high-quality products include self-directed apps, interactive content and smart devices that cover a broad variety of areas to develop children’s abilities in speaking, critical thinking, independent reading and creativity, and foster their natural interest in traditional Chinese culture. Leveraging advanced technological capabilities, including 3D engines, AI/AR functionality, and big data analysis on children’s behavior & psychology, iHuman believes it will continue to provide superior experience that is efficient and relieving for parents, and effective and fun for children, in China and all over the world, through its integrated suite of tech-powered, intellectual development products.

For more information about iHuman, please visit https://ir.ihuman.com/

For investor and media enquiries, please contact:

iHuman Inc.
Mr. Justin Zhang
Investor Relations Director
Phone: +86 10 5780-6606
E-mail: ir@ihuman.com 

Christensen
In China
Ms. Alice Li
Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
E-mail: alice.li@christensencomms.com  

In the US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
E-mail: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com  

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)

except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

December 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

1,213,767

890,805

123,375

Time deposits

240,521

33,312

Accounts receivable, net

60,832

68,068

9,427

Inventories, net

16,518

17,247

2,389

Amounts due from related parties

1,810

2,850

395

Prepayments and other current assets

89,511

93,567

12,959

Total current assets

1,382,438

1,313,058

181,857

Non-current assets

Property and equipment, net

6,169

5,504

762

Intangible assets, net

23,245

22,080

3,058

Operating lease right-of-use assets

3,648

3,235

448

Long-term investment

26,333

26,333

3,647

Other non-current assets

8,662

8,286

1,146

Total non-current assets

68,057

65,438

9,061

Total assets

1,450,495

1,378,496

190,918

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Accounts payable

22,139

21,556

2,985

Deferred revenue and customer advances

318,587

313,790

43,459

Amounts due to related parties

4,428

22,710

3,145

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

143,677

94,054

13,026

Dividend payable

37,525

5,197

Current operating lease liabilities

1,927

1,823

252

Total current liabilities

490,758

491,458

68,064

Non-current liabilities

Non-current operating lease liabilities

1,933

1,495

207

Total non-current liabilities

1,933

1,495

207

Total liabilities

492,691

492,953

68,271

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Ordinary shares (par value of US$0.0001 per share,
    700,000,000 Class A shares authorized as of
    December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024; 125,122,382
    Class A shares issued and
119,704,787 outstanding as
    of December 31, 2023; 125,122,382 Class A shares
    issued and 119,284,712 outstanding as of March 31,
    2024;  200,000,000 Class B shares authorized,
    144,000,000 Class B ordinary shares issued and
    outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and March 31,
    2024; 100,000,000 shares (undesignated) authorized,
    nil shares (undesignated) issued and outstanding as of
    December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024)

185

185

26

Additional paid-in capital

1,088,628

994,532

137,741

Treasury stock

(16,665)

(17,922)

(2,482)

Statutory reserves

8,164

8,164

1,131

Accumulated other comprehensive income

17,955

18,745

2,596

Accumulated deficit

(140,463)

(118,161)

(16,365)

Total shareholders’ equity

957,804

885,543

122,647

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

1,450,495

1,378,496

190,918

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)
except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

Revenues

265,203

235,003

32,548

Cost of revenues

(79,636)

(66,892)

(9,264)

Gross profit

185,567

168,111

23,284

Operating expenses

Research and development expenses

(61,673)

(67,923)

(9,407)

Sales and marketing expenses

(40,435)

(54,995)

(7,617)

General and administrative expenses

(26,735)

(27,724)

(3,840)

Total operating expenses

(128,843)

(150,642)

(20,864)

Operating income

56,724

17,469

2,420

Other income, net

6,082

9,010

1,248

Income before income taxes

62,806

26,479

3,668

Income tax expenses

(9,160)

(4,177)

(579)

Net income

53,646

22,302

3,089

Net income per ADS:

   – Basic

1.01

0.42

0.06

   – Diluted

0.98

0.41

0.06

Weighted average number of ADSs:

   – Basic

52,953,297

52,729,148

52,729,148

   – Diluted

54,763,570

54,691,599

54,691,599

Total share-based compensation expenses included in:

Cost of revenues

98

40

6

Research and development expenses

638

457

63

Sales and marketing expenses

379

46

6

General and administrative expenses

1,292

301

42

 

iHuman Inc.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS

 (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“US$”)
except for number of shares, ADSs, per share and per ADS data)

For the three months ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2023

2024

2024

RMB

RMB

US$

Operating income

56,724

17,469

2,420

Share-based compensation expenses

2,407

844

117

Adjusted operating income

59,131

18,313

2,537

Net income

53,646

22,302

3,089

Share-based compensation expenses

2,407

844

117

Adjusted net income

56,053

23,146

3,206

Diluted net income per ADS

0.98

0.41

0.06

Impact of non-GAAP adjustments

0.04

0.01

0.00

Adjusted diluted net income per ADS

1.02

0.42

0.06

Weighted average number of ADSs – diluted

54,763,570

54,691,599

54,691,599

Weighted average number of ADSs – adjusted

54,763,570

54,691,599

54,691,599

 

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SOURCE iHuman Inc.

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2025 Chinese economy: robust capacity in coping with pressure and risks

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BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference:

 

From China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week, one can see clear targets and detect the continuity in the rationale behind the country’s economic roadmap for 2025. The tasks listed at the conference are in line with China’s development needs in the current phase, and can to a degree respond to the external risks.

Firstly, the meeting urged efforts to vigorously boost consumption, a top-of-agenda task. Expanding domestic demand is not only a long-term priority for China, but also a coping strategy for the tougher challenges faced in exports. China’s efforts to stimulate consumption mainly fall into two categories. For one, enabling its citizens to have more to spend, by means of increasing income and alleviating burdens of low- and middle-income groups, and enabling more to enter the middle-income bracket; meanwhile, China will continue to diversify consumption scenarios, such as the debut economy, ice and snow economy and silver economy, for consumers to spend their disposable income.

Secondly, China is determined to let scientific and technological innovation drive the building of a modern industrial system, serving as a compass for China’s industrial economy development. In 2025, China is going to invest more in technological innovation, and strengthen studies in basic sciences and key core technologies, to drive industrial innovation, and furthermore achieve high standards in sci-tech self-reliance and strength.

Thirdly, China will maintain its high-level opening-up, and keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable. The size, quality and good reputation of China’s business with the world have been ever-growing, and that’s because the goal of China is to “make the cake bigger,” not “steal others’ shares of cake,” let alone “seize the whole cake.” To that end, China has improved the quality of its exports, explored new investment models, and made more countries stakeholders along the global value chain; meanwhile, it has also been ameliorating its market-access policies, and bettering the treatment of foreign-invested companies, so that more countries can benefit from the Chinese market. By November, China has removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, and service sectors including telecommunication and medical care are also opening their doors wider at a stable pace.

China shows great willingness to open up to the world, and boasts a good many partners; at the same time, the country’s economy has a solid foundation with many advantages, strong resilience and great potential, which means it possesses robust capacity in coping with pressure and risks.

 

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SOURCE China.org.cn

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India-born Avaada Group Commits $12bn to Transform Rajasthan into a Global Renewable Energy Hub

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MUMBAI, India, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Avaada Group, a leading name in the renewable energy sector, has announced an unprecedented investment of $12bn in Rajasthan, India, for accelerating green energy transition, thereby establishing the region as a global renewable energy powerhouse. This landmark announcement was made during the prestigious Rising Rajasthan 2024 Summit, attended by India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma.

Highlighting Rajasthan’s strategic importance, Avaada Group’s Chairman Vineet Mittal, Guest of Honour at the event, stated, “Rajasthan’s vast solar and wind resources, coupled with the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Chief Minister, present an unparalleled opportunity to redefine the global renewable energy landscape. Avaada’s commitment of $12bn while driving green industrial manufacturing will also create millions of jobs, shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.”

Rajasthan stands out as a global hub for renewable energy, with over 142 GW of unmatched solar potential, supported by 325+ sunny days annually. The state’s pro-business policies, including the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2024 and the Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, have attracted investments worth $78bn.

Avaada Group’s journey in Rajasthan began with a modest 150 MW solar project and has since evolved into multiple ventures, including one of the world’s largest single location renewable energy projects by an IPP. Key investments announced at the summit include:

1,200 MW Pumped Storage Project (PSP): A $700mn initiative to enhance energy storage and grid stability.Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Projects: Investments aimed at driving global decarbonization goals.Utility-Scale Solar and Wind Projects: Across Jhalawar, Kota, Barmer, and Bikaner, contributing significantly to India’s renewable energy targets.

With its strategic alignment to international sustainability frameworks like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Rajasthan offers a unique advantage for zero-carbon manufacturing and green industrial growth, positioning itself as a magnet for industries seeking sustainable operations while creating over 1mn green jobs.

“As a global renewable energy leader, Avaada is proud to participate in Rajasthan’s vision of becoming a green hub of industrial growth,” Mr. Mittal remarked. “Our investments aim to double the region’s economy by 2030, aligned with global efforts to combat climate change.”

With its strategic initiatives, Avaada Group is poised to attract international collaborations, setting a benchmark for renewable energy innovation and sustainable industrial development.

About Avaada Group

Avaada Group is a leader in the global energy transition, specializing in solar module manufacturing, renewable power generation, and the development of green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel projects. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Vineet Mittal, Avaada has become a significant global player in clean energy. Avaada Energy, the group’s renewable power generation arm, aims to achieve a capacity of 11 GWp by 2026. The group’s strong execution capabilities have attracted substantial international investment, including a $1.3bn commitment in early 2023, with $1bn from Brookfield’s Energy Transition Fund and $300mn from GPSC, a subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Group.

Contact

Kiren Srivastav
kiren.srivastav@avaada.com

Charu Sehgal
charu.sehgal@avaada.com 

 

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The Shining Achievements of Busan MICE in 2024

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BUSAN, South Korea, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Amid intensifying competition among MICE host cities to attract large events, 2024 saw Busan take bold steps that led to impressive results, proving its potential as a prime MICE destination. The efforts made by Busan in 2024 in attracting major international conferences, promoting ESG management, enhancing networking, and strengthening city identity are outlined below.

International Conferences Held in the Global MICE City of Busan

Busan hosted several significant international conferences in 2024. In July, it welcomed the 45th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR 2024), drawing around 2,700 space scientists from 60 countries to Korea. This was the first time the event was held in the country. In August, after eight years of preparation, the city hosted the 37th International Geological Congress (IGC 2024), a prestigious event with a 146-year history, at BEXCO. In November, Busan hosted the 5th Session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5). With participation from 193 institutions and countries, INC-5 was the final dialogue in a series of international discussions on controlling plastic pollution, making it a crucial conference on the future health of Earth’s marine environment and placing Busan at the forefront of global attention.

Wide-ranging ESG Activities for the Sustainability of MICE

Busan’s selection to host INC-5 was made possible by its strong track record of ESG initiatives within the MICE industry. The Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) CVB’s exhibition hall was decorated using recyclable wood, and with the assistance of eco-friendly suppliers, recycling stations were set up to facilitate the collection of waste generated during the event. Aiming for a paperless conference, digital materials and multifunctional electronic platforms were also used. Continuous efforts in various ESG initiatives were made through collaborations with Busan MICE Alliance (BMA) members. Environmental reports were made, containing carbon reduction amounts for all products used at event venues and greenhouse gas reduction indicators for transportation during each event, to create more eco-friendly events.

Improvement of Busan’s MICE Network Through Communication

The Busan MICE Alliance and the Busan MICE industry, in general, grew in solidarity through strong networking this year. The BTO CVB worked to fundamentally enhance Busan’s MICE industry by increasing local demand for MICE events and maintaining an efficient collaboration network. Regular meetings of the BMA focused on the concerns of its members to improve communication. Additionally, Busan MICE Alliance Day was held to strengthen ties among members of Busan’s MICE industry, fostering discussions on industry developments both locally and internationally, and exploring joint marketing opportunities. New members were recruited into the BMA in both the first and second halves of the year, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors for the success of Busan’s MICE industry. The Busan MICE Business Innovation Platform, which provides users with access to news and information about Busan’s MICE industry, was launched and well-received.

Unique Venues That Capture Busan’s Local Identity

Participants in MICE events now expect more than just the exchange of knowledge. They seek a special experience, and MICE destinations should leverage their local identity to provide experiences that can only be found in their cities or regions. Recognizing this industry trend, Busan has identified a variety of unique venues that highlight the history, culture, and distinctiveness of the city. Venues such as Domoheon, the former residence of Busan’s mayor; Space OneZ, a renovated old warehouse; and Holi Lounge, offering a surfing workation, exemplify this approach. The MICE events held at these unique venues are also organized in a way that showcases the best of Busan’s local identity.

As another busy year draws to a close, Busan, as a MICE city, is looking forward to making even greater strides next year. The 18th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM) in 2028, along with many other international MICE events, are set to take place in Busan, and the BTO CVB is actively working toward this goal.

With aspirations of reaching the pinnacle of the MICE industry, Busan will continue its efforts to be a sustainable, cooperative, and unique MICE city that is globally recognized.

 

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SOURCE Busan Tourism Organization

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