What is MICE: Everything You Need to Know

As a corporate travel admin or manager, you might have come across the term MICE a couple of times. You must have also seen your peers talk about MICE packages and searching for the best one. So, one thing is clear right off the bat, i.e MICE is quite important when it comes to corporate travel and the hospitality industry as well.

In this article, we will discuss what MICE is in detail — the four pillars, the importance and more. Dive in.

 

What is MICE?

MICE stands for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events. MICE has become an integral part of business travel globally because events and conferences are very important to all industries, especially in the corporate world. These events bring professionals from different departments and different locations together to ideate, foster connections, and promote growth.

Typically MICE mostly consists of business events. There are cases where you can incorporate leisure events like gala nights and concerts to entertain your employees. The latter is also gradually becoming popular. Many corporate travel admins now include leisure events to their MICE events to increase the engagement of their employees and create memorable experiences for them.

 

What are the Four Pillars of MICE?

As mentioned earlier, MICE comprises 4 main pillars namely: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

 

Meetings

Meetings are typically an event conducted over a single day. They are held in hotel conference rooms or at convention centers.

The purpose of the meeting is to bring people from a company, project or industry under one roof to identify and address challenges, facilitate ideation, and set goals.

Slight refreshments will be served during the meetings but entertainment programs will not be part of them.

 

Incentives

Incentives are the most engaging part of MICE. It includes all kinds of travel rewards and recognitions that a company offers to its staff and channel partners etc.

The objective of the incentive is to recognize and award employees and partners for their contributions to the company in order to boost their confidence and loyalty.

Incentives can involve various activities. Many companies organize weekend trips, while some might even plan international trips depending on the performance and the years of experience they have.

 

Conferences

Conferences are meetings conducted on a larger scale. It often lasts for more than a day and can vary in size depending on the company.

Here are some of the common activities you can see at a conference:

• Panels: The panel represents a group of experts who conduct discussions and present new findings and data. A moderator will also be present who will interact, ask questions, and take questions from the audience for discussion.
• Presentations: Senior leaders will present the latest data regarding the company’s current position and growth to the participants. Some companies even invite industry thought leaders as guests to motivate the employees.
• Speech: You can also expect keynotes, speeches, etc. which usually mark the beginning or end of a conference.
• Workshops: Many companies conduct workshops to provide an interactive learning session to the attendees.

 

 

Event

Events typically refer to a large gathering of employees for any purpose related to their company. An event could be part of an incentive program, a conference, networking events, or even a gala night.

Here are some common activities seen at events:

• Networking: Events can involve networking, where company representatives meet and build connections with potential partners and clients.
• Business Pitch: Professionals also look to promote growth in their companies via events. Therefore, they keep an event dedicated to different innovative business pitches.

 

3 Important Elements of MICE that Corporate Admins to Know

Here are the 3 important elements that every corporate travel admin should take care of when they are organizing MICE:

1. Venue: Venue is the physical location where your MICE event would take place. It can be a hotel, conference center, or resort depending on your requirements.
2. Delegate: Delegate refers to the attendees of a MICE event, especially at conferences and events.  Delegates can be industry professionals, guests, or company representatives.
3. MICE Organizer: This is something you should be very careful about. Do thorough research to find your MICE organizer. Make sure that they have enough years of experience and strong tie-ups with hotels, airlines and cab companies, etc. to help you obtain the best services at the best prices.

 

Why is MICE important for Corporates?

MICE events are a critical aspect of corporate travel as they promote engagement, collaboration, and motivation which drives growth. Here are some of the main reasons why MICE is crucial for companies:

• Team collaboration and communication get better since employees from different departments, regions, and offices meet in person to ideate and collaborate.
• Employee motivation and recognition increases as incentive travel recognizes them and encourages them to reach their goal.
• Brand visibility and networking opportunities increase as conferences and events allow companies to showcase their services and products to reach a larger audience and expand their reach.

 

How Can Oasis Tours Help You Get Discounted Rates for MICE Events?

Now, if you are looking for an end-to-end corporate travel management company to book your employees a good stay and a great travel experience at the best prices, then you are at the right place.

Over the past 35 years, Oasis Tours has been able to build an extensive network of hotel partnerships and curate expert negotiation strategies to help our corporate customers get great corporate hotel rates and discounts along with additional perks like upgrades, complimentary meals, and many more.

We have organized and managed countless MICE events efficiently in the last three decades which is why our clients have stuck to us year after year. Be it organizing your hotel stays, booking your air tickets, or planning your travel, we make sure you get the value of every penny spent.So, ready to partner with Oasis Tours for a seamless and cost-effective travel experience? Then, let’s connect.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

• What is the main purpose of MICE?

The main purpose of MICE is to bring professionals of a company together to ideate, discuss, and motivate them to drive growth.