Leveraging Our Experience in Industry, Academia, and Government Collaboration to Support International Conference Bids
JTB Communication Design (JCD) is a professional conference management company trusted by organisers for our expertise in planning, preparing, and delivering a wide range of domestic and international conferences and conventions. Our experience spans high-level summits and ministerial meetings, as well as international and academic conferences across a variety of industries and academic fields.
Through the extensive network of the JTB Group, we also provide comprehensive support for state guests, VIPs, and other key participants, including accommodation, transportation, tours, and other travel arrangements.
Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise in international conferences, together with the resources and capabilities of the JTB Group, we support organisations seeking to bring international conferences to Japan from the initial bidding stage through to successful delivery.
As a PCO (Professional Congress Organizer), we offer proposals tailored to the unique characteristics and requirements of each conference, including venue selection, budgeting, and bid strategies.
By involving a PCO from the bidding stage, organisers can benefit from a seamless process in which requirements are identified at an early stage and efficiently translated into practical proposals and implementation plans.
Our Bidding Support Process
✓Establishment of a dedicated project team
✓Selection of candidate destinations
✓Research into grants, subsidies, and sponsorship opportunities
✓Venue proposals and site inspections
✓Budget development
✓Preparation of bid documents
✓Promotion and stakeholder engagement
✓Bid presentation
✓Successful bid
Case Study: ICASSP 2028 Tokyo
JCD provided bidding support for the IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing (ICASSP), one of the world’s leading international conferences in its field, which is held annually in different locations around the world.
ICASSP 2028 will mark the third time the conference has been held in Japan, following Tokyo in 1986 and Kyoto in 2012. It will also be the first time in 42 years that the conference will return to Tokyo.
At the ICASSP Board Meeting held in South Korea in April 2024, Tokyo was selected as the host city for the 2028 conference.
JCD provided comprehensive support throughout the bidding process. Our involvement included:
✓Developing bid documents that highlighted Tokyo’s strengths and appeal
✓Supporting the application process for Tokyo’s bid support grant
✓Coordinating invitations and arrangements for an inspection visit by representatives of the international headquarters
✓Preparing and supporting the bid presentation
One of the key requirements of the international headquarters was the ability to accommodate a large-scale international conference while offering excellent accessibility for participants travelling from around the world.
Given the conference’s focus on acoustics, speech, and signal processing, we positioned Tokyo as a leading global hub for science, technology, and innovation. We also highlighted Tokyo’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability as important advantages of hosting the conference in the city.
Through this strategic approach, we helped demonstrate Tokyo’s suitability as the host destination and contributed to the successful bid.
Recognised by the Japan Conference Excellence Awards 2025
In February 2026, ICASSP 2028 Tokyo, for which JCD provided bidding support, was selected as a winner in the Bidding Category of the Japan Conference Excellence Awards 2025, presented annually by the
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to recognise outstanding examples of efforts to attract and host international conferences in Japan.
The bid was recognised for initiatives that aimed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry and create broader value for the local community. These included proposals for new SDGs-related sessions bringing together academic and industry perspectives, opportunities to engage with major technology companies and startups around the conference venue, and networking events for students and young researchers. These initiatives, developed in collaboration with local industry and educational institutions, were among the efforts recognised through the award and helped demonstrate how an international conference can create meaningful connections with the destination’s wider academic, business, and innovation communities.
Learn more about the Japan Conference Excellence Awards 2025
here
Working Together to Bring More International Conferences to Japan
As Japan continues to compete for international MICE events, competition among destinations around the world is expected to become increasingly intense.
Successful bids require close collaboration among organisers, local convention bureaus, PCOs, and stakeholders across industry, academia, and government. It is also essential to communicate the unique strengths and attractions of each destination and maximise the broader economic, academic, and social impact that international events can create.
At JTB Communication Design, we are committed to supporting Japan’s MICE industry by bringing together our expertise, networks, and experience to help destinations and organisers successfully attract and deliver international conferences.
Want to Learn More?
If you are an organiser or agency considering hosting an international conference or large-scale event in Japan, or if you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can elevate your next event, feel free to contact us
here! We look forward to collaborating with you!
