The International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), elected a new executive committee at its annual general meeting in Belgrade earlier this month. Tom Nutley, Chairman of ITTFA, believes…
The International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), elected a new executive committee at its annual general meeting in Belgrade earlier this month. Tom Nutley, Chairman of ITTFA, believes this new committee will generate a greater depth of understanding amongst the member shows and bring a fresh perspective to the recently-created association.
All appointments were aimed at strengthening the central administration of ITTFA and providing a firm base for the continued growth of the new association across international boundaries, he continued.
Committee members begin their term of office this month and will remain in their respective roles until the next election at the AGM in June 2007.
ITTFA, which originally evolved from the long-standing ETTFA, moved from European to International status in 2005 so as to grow the association on a worldwide basis and offer benefits and opportunities to all travel trade shows regardless of their location. ETTFA was established in 1992 and has been dedicated to raising its profile as an information source for the travel and exhibition industries since that time.
Chairman of ITTFA, Tom Nutley, said that the association had come a long way in the past decade, recognising the huge changes in the travel exhibition industry brought about by the growth in emerging markets, technology and the recognition of the value of the industry in general. He added that since becoming an international organization, they have welcomed on board new members from both East and West and have benefited from the insight these shows have brought of new and developing markets.
Frederique Maurell, ITE Senior Event and Sales Manager, was elected as president of ITTFA and also takes a second term as Treasurer. Nutley commented on the appointments, ITE has been a long standing member of ETTFA and we are confident that Frederique’s knowledge of the association coupled with her experience and enthusiasm within both the travel and tourism and exhibition industries will successfully steer the association through another successful year.
Ms Maurell commented on her role; The transition from ETTFA to ITTFA has been a considerable step for our association. Over the past 12 months, we have successfully re-positioned ITTFA, broadened our media partners base and welcomed members events from India, China and the USA. The internationalisation of ITTFA has brought with it a new energy for all the members. The last AGM in Belgrade, Serbia was an important time on our agenda as we have set our new objectives and asserted our common willingness to take on initiatives. We are now looking to explore new challenges and create more opportunities to share ITTFA’s vision and knowledge to the larger audience of the Travel & Tourism industry. As newly elected President, I am embracing this new course of action and look forward to achieving our goals in close cooperation with all our members.
Johan F Lundberg, International Director of TUR, Sweden, was elected Vice President. He commented, I am looking forward to my new role in ITTFA and hope that I can contribute to the development of the Association as well as learning from other members on how we can make travel trade fairs easier and better for all our customers.
Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director, Reed, continues as Media Relations Officer; Klara Tihanyi, Director of Utazas in Hungary, continues as Sponsorship Officer and Zeljka Tomljenovic, of ITE Travel Exhibitions continues as WTO Relations Officer whilst taking on the additional role of Membership Secretary.
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