The Russian Convention Bureau, at the invitation of the Government of the Amur Region, took part in the Russian-Chinese Economic Forum "AMUREXPO-2023", which is the main business event in the Amur region and this year became the visiting platform of the Eastern Economic Forum.

The Russian Convention Bureau took part in the business program of the forum, acting as the organizer of the session “Roadmap. A look at the East”, which was dedicated to the development of infrastructure as a key factor in enhancing business tourism and the event industry. The topic has become relevant in the light of plans to develop the Amur Region as a new center for the event industry and business tourism in the Far East and the construction of a convention and exhibition center in the region.

The speakers were: Maria Badmatsyrenova, Head of the Tourism Project Office of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East of Russia (Moscow), Pavel Puzanov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Amur Region (Blagoveshchensk), Ekaterina Kireeva, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Foreign Relations of the Amur Region (Blagoveshchensk), Sagid Zaremukov, CEO of the Russian Convention Bureau (Moscow), Vadim Prasov, Managing Partner of Alliance Hotel Management, Vice President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia for the hotel business (Moscow), Elena Ublieva, PR Director of ExpoForum International, Executive Director of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs (St. Petersburg). Olga Solovey, Deputy Director of the Kamchatka Exhibition and Tourist Center (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Vladimir Konovalov, Executive Director of ZED Development LLC and Maxim Tokarev, Deputy General Director of Region Investment Company JSC, became the session experts. The session was moderated by Daria Ostrovskaya, General Director of the R&C Market Research Company, Member of the Board of the Russian Convention Bureau, Editor-in-Chief of the CongressTime magazine (St. Petersburg).

In their speeches, the speakers assessed what event and tourism opportunities the Far East has, what requirements the organizers impose on holding events and what parameters the venue must meet, and what specific advantages the Amur Region has in order to become the center of attraction for business tourism in the Far East.

Within his welcoming speech to the audience, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Amur Region Pavel Puzanov highlighted investment projects designed to enhance the tourism and business potential of the region, such as a road bridge, new hotel infrastructure, construction of a cable car and a new airport terminal. According to Pavel Puzanov, taking into account the border location of Blagoveshchensk, the presence of a permanent exhibition and business venue will positively affect the development of business and tourist activity in the region.

Maria Badmatsyrenova, Head of the Tourism Project Office of the Ministry for the Development of the Far East of Russia, in her speech announced programs and plans to support tourism and the event industry in the Far East, significant projects in terms of tourism infrastructure and the development of transport accessibility. She also noted such a feature of event tourism and business events as the opportunity to hold them in the low tourist season, leveling the flow of tourists throughout the year.

CEO of the Russian Convention Bureau Sagid Zaremukov noted that in 2022 the Amur Region rose by 10 points at once in the “Event Potential Rating” (issued by the R&C Market Research Company). Changes for the better in 2022 occurred in 4 indicators - the area of ​​the number of rooms increased, the region appeared to be promoted at Russian exhibitions, a policy in the field of event tourism appeared, the Amur Economic Forum was held for the first time since 2019. He cited statistical data, according to which specialized venues and congress facilities of hotels are the most popular for business events, as well as the fact that holding an event at a specialized venue is one of the key factors for event organizers. “The congress and exhibition site is, first of all, a tool for implementing the economic policy of the region, it should work in conjunction with business and government. And already “at the foundation stage” it is necessary to understand what projects it will be filled with. The Russian Convention Bureau is ready to assist in this matter,” said Sagid Zaremukov.

Elena Ublieva, PR Director of ExpoForum International, Executive Director of the RUEF, highlighted the possibilities of the multi-format platform for working with various types of events and audiences. In her speech, Elena Ublieva emphasized the importance of proper planning at the initial stage of site construction in order to expand the possibilities during its further operation, which will make it a real center of attraction.

Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Foreign Relations of the Amur Region Ekaterina Kireeva noted that the development of business and event tourism is a multiplier for the region, an opportunity for the development of various industries and the promotion of the territory. She emphasized that plans for the development of the Golden Mile space, where it is planned to create a congress and exhibition infrastructure, require joint work to make the right decisions.

According to the managing partner of Alliance Hotel Management, Vice-President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Russia for the hotel business Vadim Prasov, the development of infrastructure for holding federal, regional and local events is necessary to create the business environment that will provide a socio-economic effect to increase the level life in the region.

Representatives of investment companies also assessed the development potential of the territory, taking into account the border location of Blagoveshchensk and the Chinese side.

As a result of the session in the region, it is planned to develop a "road map" of the project, hold consultations with industry experts and systematic work on implementation.

Also, at the site of the Russian-Chinese Economic Forum "AmurExpo", a cooperation agreement was signed between the Association "Russian Convention Bureau" and the Government of the Amur Region. The Governor of the Amur Region Vasily Orlov and CEO of the Russain Convention Bureau Sagid Zaremukov put their signatures under the agreement. The agreement was signed in order to develop the potential of the Amur Region as a center for business and event tourism. At the forum site, the RCB held a number of meetings to bring a number of clauses of the agreement into practice.

The Russian-Chinese Economic Forum "AMUREXPO-2023" was held on May 26–28, 2023 at the site of the Public and Cultural Center in Blagoveshchensk.