Negombo hoteliers trained in MICE

Continuing with the training program of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in MICE activities (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions), a full day training session was held recently in Negombo in collaboration with the Negombo Hoteliers Association and Sri Lanka Professional Conference, Exhibition and Events Organisers at the Jetwing Beach, Negombo. 

This is the third such program for this year after Jaffna, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. SLCB took the initiative to conduct the MICE training in the regions to update the various departments in the hotels in handling MICE events. Every year SLCB conducts this program around the country to ensure that all hoteliers involved in MICE get opportunity for this training which is conducted by the MICE experts and practitioners in the country.

Forty participants took part in the training, the majority of them representing hotels in Negombo. The trainers were Ziyan Ameen – President of SLAPCEO, Felicia Adhihetty – Managing Director of B Connected, Vipula Wanigasekera – CEO SLCB and Achini Dandunnage – Senior Manager SLCB. The sessions were followed by a group exercise and presentations. The occasion was also attended by SLCB Chairman Udaya Kumara Rupasinghe.

The program covered the following areas: Tourism – Global and Local Perspectives by Vipula Wanigasekera, CEO/GM SLCB; SLCB Role in MICE Tourism by Achini Dandunnage, Senior Manager; 

Handling MICE Events by Felicia Adhihetty, Managing Director of B Connected; and Incentives – Who, What, Why, How by Ziyan Ameen, President of SLAPCEO.

While the participants praised the program as an essential element to update their knowledge, Wanigasekera said: “We were surprised with the level of creativity displaced by the participants when asked to come up with incentive programs and there is a need to operationalise them in real life business.”