Herbalife to hold `extravaganza` here

Starting Friday, the international nutrition and skin-care products selling company Herbalife will host its famous huge conference for three days here at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, the Korea Tourism Organization said.

It will be the largest single private event hosted by Korea, according to the KTO.

The conference called "2009 Herbalife Asia-Pacific Extravaganza" is said to bring more than 20,000 participants from 12 countries.



The extravaganza is an annual event is hosted by a company well-known for its network marketing structure in six different regions worldwide, offering business models and tips to its members or employees.

The program entails three days of training, with relaxation and fun in between concerts and dinner parties.

Among the noted figures joining the event are Louis Ignarro, a Nobel Prize laureate and a science advisor to Herbalife, as well as David Herber, medical professor at University of California Los Angeles.

To ensure the smooth operation of this event, KTO has been supporting the preparations ever since signing a memorandum of understanding with Herbalife in October.

Approximately 20,000 foreign nationals who participate in the Extravaganza are expected to spend nearly $49.8 million. KTO said this amount would be like exporting 3,100 cars.

"Korea succeeded in brining the event here after heated competition with Singapore and Thailand," said Yong Seon-jung, head if the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions) team at KTO.

"Through hosting this event, we hope to secure a better knack for hosting such global business conferences and become one of the favored venues for them," Yong said.

(angiely@heraldm.com)



By Lee Joo-hee