Meeting Under the Great Caucasus Mountains

The Caucasus nation of Georgia, not to be confused with the US state of Georgia, is gaining traction as a regional MICE destination. In 2016, within the framework of the National Tourism Administration of Georgia, the Georgian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (GCEB) started operations with the objective to promote the development of business tourism in Georgia. By 2018, Georgia has achieved the first place in the ICCA rankings for the Caucasus and Central Asia regions. 

​Georgia certainly has a lot going for it, as the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains is already a major attraction. Holding a conference in the valley town of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) surrounded by the towering mountains is truly a humbling experience.  Event organisers might also want to explore the wine region of Kakheti, where event guests can learn more about the earliest wine-making methods in the world. If organisers do not want to venture too far, the capital city Tbilisi has much to offer in terms of history, heritage as well as modern accommodation and meeting facilities.

Many hotels with meeting capabilities have been springing up in Georgia over the past five years, hence MICE delegates can be assured of clean accommodation with modern technologies. These hotels are attractions in their own right as they creatively blend nature, heritage and contemporary designs into their architecture and interior decor. Various restaurants in Tbilisi also offer large banquet space for gala dinner or other functions. However, there is much room for development in terms of dedicated convention and exhibition space. ExpoGeorgia, being the one and only convention and exhibition centre in Tbiisi, was built in the 1950s and has limited capacity. 

Georgia is a relatively stable and secure country to host MICE events. Unlike some of its fellow former Soviet Union republics, there is no major disputes with its neighbours. It is also safe to walk around Tbilisi day or night. One thing to be beware of is the traffic in the city, as it can either be very jam, or the drivers may be zipping through or changing lanes at very high speed.

Perhaps if Georgia could improve accessibility with the rest of the world through more direct flights from major cities, it could then become an international MICE destination. To this, Ms Keti Mamadashvili, Specialist, CEBG said, "In order to increase the popularity and awareness of Georgian MICE tourism potential, we actively cooperate with the airlines, and in particular, we do roadshows and presentations on various target markets." 
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In this feature of Georgia, we review the following (please click to read):

• The Biltmore Hotel, Tbilisi
• ​ExpoGeorgia, Tbilisi
• ​Hôtels & Préférence Hualing, Tbilisi
• ​Radisson Blu Iveria, Tbilisi
• Rooms Hotel and Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi
• Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace​
• Marriot Hotel, Tbilisi
• Iota Hotel, Tbilisi
• ​Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi
• Radisson Collection Hotel Tsinandali
• Lopota Lake Resort, Kakheti, Georgia

Read more reviews of other non-hotel MICE venues in Tbiisi, CLICK HERE.

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​MICEreview appreciates the support from the Convention & Exhibition Bureau of Georgia, Georgian National Tourism Administration

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