ICPB: Kolkata Calling

The 11th ICPB (India Convention Promotion Bureau) convention concluded on a positive note in Kolkata recently, with the opening of the first ICPB State Chapter, and showcased the MICE potential of eastern India.

- Reema Lokesh

 

The 11th ICPB convention proved to be encouraging for both the delegates as well as the committee. The first state chapter in the region of West Bengal opened in Kolkata. This chapter will act as an extended arm of the national body to help create an impactful voice for the MICE industry and to prominently place West Bengal on the MICE map of India. This is the beginning of ICPB's pan India presence. The chapter was launched by Suman Billa, chairman, ICPB in the presence of Debashis Sen, additional chief secretary, Govt. of West Bengal and Atri Bhattacharya, principal secretary tourism and home secretary, Govt. of West Bengal along with Chander Mansharamani, vice chairman ICPB.

The event, which was held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Center, aimed to highlight the potential of the MICE market and to showcase what the east of India can offer in this space. Speaking at the event Mansharamani spoke about the strides that the bureau aims to take forward and the start of the first chapter is just the beginning towards a better and strengthened organisation. The convention addressed the vitality of the MICE business as a tool to increase the inbound numbers.