REPORT – SHANGHAI – IT&CM: Despite the global financial downturn, China’s travel industry continues to provide a leading-edge business platform for the international and local MICE players. By 2020, China is expected to attract more than 137 million overseas business travellers, or 8.6 per cent of the world’s international travel market….
REPORT – SHANGHAI – IT&CM: Despite the global financial downturn, China’s travel industry continues to provide a leading-edge business platform for the international and local MICE players.
By 2020, China is expected to attract more than 137 million overseas business travellers, or 8.6 per cent of the world’s international travel market. Hence, the country still presents some exciting long-term prospects for the MICE industry.
Spanning some 6,200 square metres, this year’s IT&CM China 2009 which opend its doors yesterday at ShanghaiMart Expo, features over 200 exhibiting companies and organisations from 20 countries. Exhibiting companies include adventure/incentive travel suppliers, airlines and cruise lines, convention/exhibition venues, destination management companies, hotels and resorts, national/state tourism organisations, information technology vendors, event companies, theme parks/leisure attractions and entertainment venues, travel management companies, global distribution systems, car rentals, trade publications/media, trade associations, suppliers of gifts and premiums and many more. The third presentation of the annual tradeshow features a series of fresh and exciting business, networking and learning opportunities for its participants throughout the three days.
Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, said, “On the international front, we continue to have the support of major national tourist organisations and leading key industry players. The show provides the best platform for both local and international buyers and sellers to collaborate and do business at IT&CM China 2009.”
He added, “The organisers remain committed to grow IT&CM China into the definitive MICE event for the industry. We are heartened by the commitment of many of our loyal exhibitors who have been with us since the first show, and welcome our new participants. We hope that by working together, the MICE industry will be able to overcome the most challenging business environment the world has witnessed in recent history.”
First-time exhibitors include Turkish Embassy Culture and Information Section, Tourisme Montreal, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Sanya Tourism Bureau, Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau, HNA Grand Hotel Chang’an Avenue, Marco Polo Corporate Office, The Audience Motivation Company, and Costa Crociere S.P.A. The Macau pavilion takes up the largest exhibiting space with 255 square metres.
Host city Shanghai, along with tourist hotspots like Dalian, Guilin, Hangzhou, and Sanya will showcase their finest offerings at IT&CM China 2009.
Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “We are delighted that IT&CM China has helped initiate a new mindset in the hearts of local industry players, as we present the largest Chinese participation since the show’s inception in 2007.”
“Out of the 150 local Chinese buyers who have confirmed their attendance, first-time buyers from leading Chinese companies sourcing for products and services at the show make up a significant portion. Their strong presence is indicative of the maturing local MICE industry, as Chinese organisations move forward to seize the business opportunities and rewards of participating in international trade platforms.”
IT&CM China 2009 will see over 2,000 delegates attending the tradeshow. To maximise business appointments, the IT&CM China business matching programme has matched exhibitors with some 300 buyers from 31 countries. The hosted buyers programme ensures only qualified and genuine buyers are invited to attend. This year, the show has attracted new buyers coming from Bulgaria, Japan, Pakistan and Chinese Taipei, with the largest number of international buyers from Malaysia.
China – the NEXT MICE powerhouse
There is no doubt that China is poised to be the next MICE powerhouse. The successful hosting of the Beijing Olympics, and the staging of upcoming mega events in 2010, such as the World Expo in Shanghai, and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, are catalysts for the next phase of MICE development in China. IT&CM China 2009 will help equip industry players to leverage on these milestone activities to increase their footprint in the world’s third largest economy.
The keynote address on ‘How China’s Global Reach is Altering the World Map’ will be delivered by Dr George Zhibin Gu, Commentator/Columnist and Author of China’s Global Reach and China and the New World Order. He will offer an insightful, open-minded, and significant overview of a changing world in relation to a fast-developing China. From foreign multinationals’ effect to the emergence of domestic markets, he will chart the economic and political development in and out of China and what it means for the world’s future.
Additional educational opportunities have been created with the addition of new IT&CM China Trade Seminars have also been added for industry heavyweights to share their knowledge with participants. Two seminars will be held daily on 16 and 17 April and will be chaired by China-based experts in the respective fields. They will provide a better understanding on the inner workings of the MICE industry, and uncover the challenges of this competitive business environment.
Apart from business activities, a vibrant mix of social functions and special events will take place alongside IT&CM China 2009. These include:
- Friendly Golf Game, open to registered delegates, a morning session held at Shanghai’s No.1 golf course, the SunIsland Golf Course
- Opening Ceremony and Welcome Dinner, themed ‘Around the World’, an exclusive by-invitation-only event held at Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Hotel
- Hosted Luncheons, networking lunches hosted by MEHK (Meetings & Exhibitions Hong Kong), the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel and Marina Bay Sands
- IMEX-MPI-IT&CM China Future Leaders Forum, a full-day programme for students pursuing degrees in meetings and events management to encourage top students to enter the MICE industry
- Pre- and Post-Show Tours, a range of leisure tours to experience Shanghai, Dalian and Hangzhou will be held before and after the IT&CM China tradeshow
IT&CM China 2009 is open to trade visitors from 16 to 17 April 2009 from 1000hrs to 1700hrs. It is organised by TTG Asia Media and MP International. It is supported by STTA (Shanghai Tourism Trade Association), SCEIA (Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association), IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers), PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association), ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association), SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) – Hong Kong Chapter.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
