Seoul: the mad energy of the Land of the Morning Calm

The world's third-largest city for hosting conventions in 2016 according to the Union of International Associations (UIA), the best destination for international meetings in 2016 according to Business Traveler, an airport that has repeatedly been credited with the status of "one of the world's best airports for international meetings". best hub in the world by Airports Council International (ACI): Seoul's record of achievement is the envy of many. In line with its rapid economic development in the 1980s, the South Korean capital has steadily increased its market share.

The organisation of the 1988 Summer Olympics made it official its entry into the big league And as the country prepares to host the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next February, the city has largely earned its stripes in staging major events, from the G20 summit in 2010 to the slew of congresses with 3,000 to 10,000 participants that it hosts every year. Mega-incentives have also tanned its leather, such as the reception in 2016 of 8,000 Chinese delegates from a cosmetics heavyweight in two consecutive waves. The operation required 34 flights, 16 hotels and 100 buses.

Who can do more can do less. The diversity of Seoul's tourist infrastructure is suited to all formats. In fact, the Seoul Convention Bureau is sponsoring operations for groups of 50 people or more - for a total of 100 nights on site - with preferential rates on a range of services. The city's dynamismThe country's cultural heritage and cuisine are all assets that can be exploited by business tourists. There is a wide range of activities to choose from: try your hand at K-pop choreography, learn the rudiments of the Korean alphabet, meditate with a Buddhist monk at the Bongeunsa temple (VIIIth century), or just relax with a Buddhist monk.^e century), walk along the 12 km of the town's surrounding wall, dating from the 14th^e century, or cook kimchi, the national dish made from fermented cabbage.

Team buildings that encourage the discovery of the city are obviously to be preferred, if only to correct the preconceived idea of urban chaos. Even if the urban development is rather rough, with motorways lining the city. Nevertheless, the revitalisation process underway here and there is a success story, and small miracles do happen such as the Cheonggyecheon, right in the centre of the city. This waterway was once buried under an expressway that has now been demolished. Now, the six kilometres of banks have been landscaped to create a pedestrian area planted with trees and criss-crossed by footbridges, making it a popular spot for jogging and city picnics.

Gangnam, Seoul's bubbling cauldron of business

Near the Changdeokgung - the Palace of Prosperity - a royal residence dating from the 15th century World Heritage SiteThe Hanok village of Bukchon, with its ancient buildings that survived the bombardments of the Korean War, invites groups to imagine the town of yesteryear in a labyrinth of alleyways reminiscent of an unexpected medieval city. This hillside ensemble contrasts with the regularity of the blocks of a new Seoul that is writing its history in Gangnam, on the south bank of the Han, the river that runs through the city.

Gangnam-guThe city, a bubbling cauldron of business, has no qualms about its nouveau riche status. Along Apgujeong-ro, luxury brand flagships The business district is a popular location for Korean TV series looking for glamorous backdrops, such as the Dior boutique, a building designed by Christian de Portzamparc. The business district is a popular shooting location for Korean TV series in search of glamorous backdrops, such as the Dior boutique, a building designed by Christian de Portzamparc. K-pop production companies, the bridgeheads of the country's international image, have their studios here, alongside cosmetic surgery clinics that remodel fans in the image of the angelic faces of star girls and boy bands, the heroes of hallyu, Korean pop culture.

Teheran-ro, the twice four-lane avenue that crosses the district from east to west, is nicknamed Teheran Valley. Many start-up incubators are located nearby, between gigantic malls, trendy bars and discos. The Google campus, the LG Arts Center and the Samsung showroom are all located in this part of Gangnam, symbol of the most connected country in the world, the first in the world to offer 4G and already in the starting blocks for 5G. And also, as we often forget, the inventor of movable type printing, in 1377. A revolution, several decades before Gutenberg!

Convention centres

Coex It's one of the most famous views of Seoul: the monumental Buddha of the Bongeunsa temple dominating the elliptical façade of Coex. From this angle, the country's largest convention centre seems to benefit from an unrivalled patronage. And it has done so well. Hosting an average of some 200 exhibitions and 2,000 meetings a year, it has established itself as one of the country's most important convention centres. the benchmark for the sector not only because of its ultra-modern facilities, but also because of its ideal location in the heart of Gangnam, right next to the major hotels and next to the airport buses. Total surface area: 106,000 m2. Exhibition area: 36,000 m2. 1,500-seat auditorium and 53 modular meeting rooms.
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu. - Tel: + 82 2 6000 1123 - Internet: www.coex.co.kr/eng

Some Sevit "Floating Islands With its undulating outdoor spaces, this small convention centre with its futuristic metal and glass façades benefits from exceptional views of the city. And with good reason: it is located on one of the three artificial islands on the south bank of the Han, far enough away from buildings to offer uninterrupted views. It houses six 40 m² at 760 m²including a restaurant overlooking the river. Under the dome, the main lounge, with a capacity of 500 guests, boasts a vast 18-metre projection screen and sophisticated lighting, as does the whole building, whose LED lighting can be customised on request.
683, Olympic Rd, Seocho-gu. - Tel: + 82 2 537 2440 - Internet: www.ficonvention.com

Culture

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art 

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The city's finest museum! Financed by the Samsung group and based on the Korean art collection of its founder Lee Byung-chul (1910-1997), the Leeum comprises three museums, each housed in a building designed by a renowned architect. It's a brilliant idea, as the ensemble offers an architectural walk and a fine dialogue between the materials chosen: brick by Mario Botta for the Museum of Traditional Arts, steel by Jean Nouvel for the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and concrete for the temporary exhibition spaces designed by Rem Koolhaas. The permanent collection of Korean art - ceramics, bronze, calligraphy - includes many pieces classified as "national treasures". As for the contemporary section, it boasts a fine selection of works by local and international artists such as Damien Hirst, Rothko, Gerhard Richter, Yves Klein and Francis Bacon. Sculptures by Giacometti, Anish Kapoor and Louise Bourgeois are scattered around the outdoor spaces.
60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu - Telephone: +82 2 2014 6901 - Internet : leeum.samsungfoundation.org