Ottawa Tourism and The Hague Convention Bureau have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will aim to bring the two cities’ convention offering closer together over the coming years.
Key objectives from the first year of the convention focused partnership include:
- Creation of joint sales activity – the first part of which took place in IMEX America when a group of association buyers joined Ottawa Tourism and The Hague Convention Bureau for an evening of education and relationship development.
- Creation of research and intelligence documents focused on the security, governance and defense sectors. This will include identifying opportunities for both cities based on current leads and existing partnerships.
- Identification of clients where both cities would be of interest followed by the creation of a joint proposal/bid highlighting synergies between the two destinations as well as legacy benefits of working together.
- Identification of historic Hague clients that would be interested in Ottawa and vice-versa.
The signing of the MOU was part of an Ottawa mayoral mission to the Netherlands, and it was celebrated at an event attended by His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. The event followed a meeting between the Mayor of the City of Ottawa and his counterpart Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague.
The event, which took place at the Louwman Museum in The Hague, was attended by more than 100 representatives from the two cities and the meetings industry. In addition to the convention focused MOU, the event also celebrated and highlighted the many years of friendship between both the cities of Ottawa and The Hague and the nations of Canada and The Netherlands.
The convention focused MOU, which was signed by Nienke van der Malen, director of The Hague and Partners; His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa; and Michael Crockatt, President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism, was initially discussed five years ago at the ICCA Congress in Antalya. The two organizations have since sought a variety of ways to cooperate, resulting in the MOU.
Related Stories
Korea to Develop South Jeolla Province as MICE Destination
Singapore Launches New MICE Incentives & Rewards Program
Edinburgh Boosts Appeal as Conference Destination
Portugal Aims to Become One of the Most Sustainable Tourist Destinations in the World