Largest Chinese MICE Group Coming to Orange County, CA

ANAHEIM, Calif., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orange County Visitors Association (OCVA) and the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau (AOCVCB) announced that Orange County (known worldwide as "The OC") will host Perfect (China) Co., Ltd this May. This international conference represents the largest singular group meeting from China to ever visit the United States.

The Perfect (China) Co., Ltd conference will hold this 7,000-person meeting of top-tier direct marketing professionals from May 19 to June 2, 2014. During this time, attendees will have an opportunity to experience Orange County's beaches, shopping and other tourism attractions. The main conference and banquet will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center on May 27. 

"The Perfect (China) meeting is one of the most significant international meetings ever held in the United States. We are honored that they've chosen Anaheim and Orange County as their home base," stated Jay Burress, President and CEO of the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau. "We are thrilled to welcome Perfect (China) attendees and provide for them our exceptional visitor customer service. Our area has an array of sights to see and we encourage Perfect (China) attendees to experience all that Orange County has to offer."

CITS International M.I.C.E. Co., Ltd., a major Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) company based in China, is coordinating this historic international meeting movement. CITS International M.I.C.E. Co. Ltd (CITS MICE) has named the U.S. as its first choice destination for China's MICE market.

"As the largest tourism enterprise in China, CITS considers this largest Chinese MICE Group to Orange County an opportunity to increase interest in travel to the United States," said Zheng Lijuan, General Manager of CITS International M.I.C.E. Co., Ltd. "Orange County is the heart of Southern California with the largest Convention Center on the West Coast; we recognize it as a world-class M.I.C.E. destination for corporate meetings, conventions and incentive groups."

CITS estimates that $85 million dollars will be generated in the Anaheim /Orange County area as a result of this international group event. Perfect (China) attendees will be housed in Orange County, filling approximately 12,000 hotel room nights at more than 30 area hotels.

During their visit, attendees will enjoy a day at the Disneyland Resort and have an opportunity to experience The OC's multitude of shopping destinations, including South Coast Plaza. Additionally, there will be time to explore some of Orange County's 42-miles of coast and classic Southern California beach towns. Side trips to other Western cities are also planned.

"This monumental event is the culmination of extensive work by our Orange County Beijing Office, the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, the Disneyland Resort and other key destination marketing partners and hotels throughout the county," stated Ed Fuller, CEO of the Orange County Visitors Association. "We absolutely recognize the significance of welcoming these visitors to The OC, and extend our heartfelt thanks to Visit California, U.S. Travel Association and our regional partners for making it happen."

According to the U.S. Travel Association, with a 1.5 billion-person population and soaring GDP growth, China is a fast-growing market for inbound travel to the United States.

"This event in Orange County is enormously important not just for the region, but also to continue the progress the entire American travel marketplace has made in building ties with China," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "I, for one, am glad that The OC and Disneyland Resort are on the case, because I have every confidence they will generate a first class experience for the Chinese visitors."

Visit California reported that 1,474,408 Chinese visited the US in 2012 and 45% came to California as the state continues to grow in popularity as a desirable outbound incentive travel destination.

"We have seen astounding growth from the China market in the past five years and are working collectively with our statewide industry partners to introduce Chinese visitors to the California Dream," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California.

About Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau:
The Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau (AOCVCB) is Anaheim and Orange County's largest destination marketing organization. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Anaheim/Orange County as a premier leisure, convention and meeting destination. More than 45 million travelers visit the Anaheim/Orange County area annually, generating more than $9.5 billion in revenue and creating more than 150,000 tourism-related jobs. For more information, call (714) 765-8888 or visit anaheimoc.org.

About Orange County Visitors Association:
The Orange County Visitors Association (OCVA) represents more than 700 members of Orange County, California's tourism community and is the leading resource for visitor information about the county's 34 cities. OCVA serves as steward of The OC brand, recognized worldwide as the home of world-famous theme parks, unparalleled shopping, 42 miles of pristine coastline, renowned beachfront resorts, and innumerable activities ranging from watersports to world-class performing arts. OCVA promotes the destination both domestically and internationally, with tourism offices in four international cities. Orange County is located in the heart of Southern California and provides easy access to all the attractions the region offers. For more information, go to www.VisitTheOC.com or call the California Welcome Center at (714) 523-3441.

About CITS MICE:
CITS MICE is a leader in the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition field. They have successfully organized a multitude of major groups and staged world-class event and set numerous industry records. 2014 is the 60th anniversary of the head office of CITS. Their significant portfolio includes the 2008 "Beijing Olympic Games," the 2010 "Shanghai World Expo" as well as an array of international corporations such as, Samsung, Amway, Perfect, China Life, Johnson & Johnson Medical, Mercedes Benz.

Media Contacts:

Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Elaine Cali, (714) 458-8628 or (714) 760-4450
ecali@anaheimoc.org

Orange County Visitors Association
Michelle McCue, (213) 985-1011 or (949) 247-2107
michelle@mccuecommunications.com

Disneyland Resort
Robert Deuel (714) 284-6385.
Robert.deuel@disney.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140415/74009

SOURCE Orange County Visitors Association