13 Startups Lead Digital Transformation of MICE Industry

A startup alliance poised to lead innovation in the MICE industry has been born. On the 15th, the Korea Startup Forum officially launched the 'MICE Tech Industry Council,' aiming for digital transformation and regulatory innovation in the MICE industry. Thirteen major startups, including GroundK and Eventus, have joined forces, with Jang Dong-won, CEO of GroundK, appointed as the inaugural chairman of the council. Chairman Jang expressed his ambition, stating, "The convergence of MICE and technology will create a new business order," and "We will lead a private sector-driven digital transformation by incorporating the voices from the industry." The council will strengthen its expertise with three divisions—Technology, Planning, and Public Relations—and will explore strategic directions by appointing Professor Yoon Young-hye of Dongduk Women's University as an advisor. The main goals are digital innovation, building inter-industry networks, and proposing policies and improving regulations to the government. In particular, as a private policy platform led by startups, it plans to expand effective contact points with the government. Koo Tae-eon, Vice Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, emphasized, "This launch will present a private-sector-led problem-solving model for the MICE industry," and expressed his expectation that the Korean MICE model will gain global competitiveness through active government support and deregulation. The Korea Startup Forum, with approximately 2,500 participating companies, plans to continue representing the voice of the industry and contributing to market revitalization.