"MICE" is an acronym for international conferences, academic meetings, conventions, and corporate incentive tours (reward trips for high-performing employees or clients). Keio Plaza Hotel has built a reputation as a "hotel strong in MICE" throughout its 50-year history. What made it famous was the success of a massive incentive tour commissioned by the American refrigerator manufacturer Gibson in the summer of 1973. In particular, the "Samurai Party" proposed by the hotel for the awards ceremony, the highlight of the tour, captivated the hearts of over 2,500 guests and was a great success.
As the sound of drums reverberated throughout the venue, a magnificent procession reminiscent of a period drama appeared. The president and his wife of Gibson Company greeted them with smiles, and the award recipients, dressed as a lord and his wife, stepped out of a palanquin... It is said that Keio Plaza Hotel 's characteristic "unconventional fun" was met with loud cheers and applause.
Later, a letter arrived from Gibson Hotel expressing their gratitude, saying, "We have never had staff who worked so dedicatedly," and "This was the best hotel we've ever worked in." This success changed the perception of Asia, a region that was not easily targeted for tours by Western companies at the time, and became a major turning point in securing large-scale tours in the future.
The company culture of unity throughout the organization, which has been passed down to the present day, and the foundation of Keio Plaza Hotel 's strength in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), were cultivated during this era. We put great effort into ensuring our guests have the best possible experience, and all staff members approach their work with a spirit of challenge.
