Abstract
This chapter introduces the meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and incentive travel (MICE) sector and focuses on the employability skills required to become a professional conference organiser (PCO). The chapter provides a brief account of the development of the MICE sector and discusses the socioeconomic benefits of MICE events and how this has become the focus for economic development, thereby creating MICE specific employment. The chapter acknowledges the changing nature of MICE events in a post pandemic landscape and demonstrates the importance of MICE events, and therefore PCOs, in the global recovery. It explores the hard and soft skills, knowledge and experience required of PCOs and assesses these against industry and academic frameworks. The chapter provides an overview of MICE-related study available through higher education. The chapter concludes with a case study, based on an interview with a leading industry PCO, their career history, and their tips for those wishing to join this dynamic profession.