The competition among countries in the convention industry is fierce. It is highly expected that the inducement will prove to be a detonator for the development of the aerospace industry of Korea and foreign countries.
Daejeon City is geographically located in the center of Korea. The transportation network is excellent. Everyone agrees that it is optimal for the convention industry. Thus, the growth of the convention industry is highly expected.
The IAC is the general assembly of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
The IAF holds scientific conventions and exhibitions regarding diverse scientific fields in October every year, alternating between European and non-European regions each year. The IAC is a considerably big international congress in which over 2,000 persons from more than 60 countries attend.
The 60th IAC 2009 Daejeon this time will be held for five days from October 5, 2009, until October 9, 2009. It will be held at the Daejeon Convention Center, with the participation of over 3,000 people from more than 60 countries.
It will be include diverse events, including a general assembly, a scientific symposium and an exhibition.
Daejeon City has been doing its utmost in gathering all the capabilities of the region by establishing a support system on the national level and pursuing preparation measures by field.
Daejeon created the Daejeon Convention Bureau in the latter half of last year to be fully in charge of the inducement of and the organizational support for many kinds of domestic and international conventions and exhibitions. It has been unfolding more organized and systematic marketing activities.
It has high hopes that, taking the IAF general assembly as an opportunity, it will develop into a mecca of conventions.
Daejeon City has been aggressively pursuing the heightening of its international image, the utilization of the inducement of the IAF general assembly as a steppingstone for the invigoration of the convention industry, the enhancement of the brand value of Daejeon in the world.
When holding the World Technopolis Association (WTA) Technomart and WTA general assembly, this will be publicized to participating countries. When foreign guests from sister cities visit Daejeon, the details of the events will be actively publicized.
Therefore, the IAF general assembly will be held successfully with more substance.
The city will endeavor so that the participating countries will establish a cooperation structure of co-existence.
Park Seong-hyo, Mayor of Daejeon City, said: "I will not be able to forget, forever, the final decision of the inducement of the IAC 2009 by Daejeon through a vote of the IAF general assembly held in Valencia, Spain, on October 6, 2006, after beating the competitor cities of Shanghai, China and Prague, Czech Republic."
He continued: "At the time, at the IAF general assembly vote in which a total of 52 persons attended, Daejeon City obtained 31 votes, thereby overwhelmingly beating Prague, which obtained 14 votes, and Shanghai, which got 7 votes."
The reason why Daejeon City could beat such prominent cities was probably the city's meticulous prior preparations. Daejeon City had already decided the policy of inducing the IAC 2009 in May 2005. In 2006, the next year, it had begun discussions with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute for the inducement of IAC 2009 and for budgetary support. On June 30, 2006, it submitted its first inducement proposal to the secretariat of the IAF. It worked hard and quickly.
Then, the field inspection of Daejeon by Phillippe Willekens, the Executive Director of the IAF, took place from July 5, 2006, until July 8, 2006. On August 18, 2006, the first inducement committee for the IAC 2009 Daejeon was held. Daejeon City had proceeded with scrupulous prior preparations without any failures.
After integrating such efforts, the second inducement proposal was submitted on September 15, 2006.
Requests were made for support and cooperation to aerospace organizations of the countries participating in the 2006 IAC general assembly in Valencia. As a result of unfolding aggressive PR activities, the splendid achievement of being chosen as the venue materialized.
The successful organization of the IAC 2009 Daejeon will establish Daejeon as a city of science and convention industry that is up to its reputation.
Also, it will prove to be a decisive opportunity to help Korea ascend the international stage.
In this regard, Daejeon City has been preparing for the IAF general assembly on the national level of globalization strategy. And the city has been exerting efforts on the establishment of a many-sided support system.
Meanwhile, by linking with various regional festivals, national athletic meets and other events Daejeon City will make the event managed by bringing live Korean features. The city will concentrate on public relations activities for the IAC 2009, including publicizing the congress to prominent overseas media, including CNN, Newsweek, and many others.
"Such a large-sized international event as the IAC 2009 Daejeon cannot be held with only the power of the local government. The united power of the 1.5 million Daejeon citizens and the power of all the classes, including people related to lodging, restaurants and transportation must be gathered to make the successful organization of the event possible. And we will make the foreigners that visit Daejeon at the time want to visit again," said Mayor Park.
"We will excavate internationally competitive tourism programs and develop diverse tourism courses linked with city tours. Thereby, we will show to visitors the beauty of Daejeon, a city which harmonizes science, nature, and culture," continued Mayor Park.
The main stage of the IAC 2009 Daejeon will be the Daejeon Convention Center. The center is currently being built and the construction will be completed at the end of this year. A total of 52.1 billion won will be put in. And the center will be born as the landmark of Daejeon.
