When MICEreview visited Shanghai in 2011, the local authorities were practically scrubbing all the pavements, streets and highways, in preparation for the launch of the Shanghai World Expo. Together with this were efforts to green the city, help residents learn English and improve social behavior, etc. The immediate thought then was whether all these transformation will last beyond the Expo period.

Hence, it was heartening to find Shanghai still very clean and more green some six months after the curtain fell. The numerous city parks and pockets of greenery that sprouted up within a short span of one year pleasantly surprised MICEreview. These green lungs certainly gave the metropolitan city a less concrete, softer feel, as compared to the landscape two to three years ago.

MICE event organizers are now spoilt for choice when it comes to hotel choices and event venues. The Pudong business district is very vibrant with more high-end international hotels and shopping complexes. At the Expo site, some of the permanent buildings have found new uses as convention and exhibition centre, as well as sports and concert arena, etc. Even Hongqiao, the older part of Shanghai where the annual IT&CM China has been taking place for the past five years, comes alive with more chic cafes, boutiques and people dancing late into the night at the public park.

If an event can transform a city this way for the long term, then it is well worth the money and the effort.