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The region’s premier tradeshows for the MICE and Corporate Travel industries – IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific are gearing up for another exciting journey to the new frontiers as they turn 16 and 11 respectively.
The combined events, also popularly dubbed a “doublebill event” (two shows at one location), will be held at Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Thailand, from 7 to 9 October 2008. Located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district, this is the second year that the venue is hosting the event.
Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, the show organiser, said: “Last year’s celebration of the 15th IT&CMA and 10th CTW anniversaries signified a new phase for the doublebill event. Widely recognised as the leading business and education platform in Asia-Pacific, the combined event will continue to be the perfect platform to showcase MICE destinations, to source for products and services and to enhance knowledge for all participants.”
The 2008 doublebill event, themed “New Frontiers – Optimise Returns”, is expected to attract more than 2,000 leading industry professionals from all over the world.
Commenting on the new theme, Mr Ng added: “By defining the New Frontiers of the MICE and corporate travel, delegates can look forward to maximising their time and resources at IT&CMA and CTW this October with our new initiatives. On top of growing the tradeshow with expanded buyers’ and exhibitors’ profiles, new services and value propositions, we will present delegates with increased marketing activities and sponsorship opportunities before, during and after the show. In addition, delegates will gain from the improved conference and educational content and expanded networking opportunities. Last but not least, we will develop the show with enhanced communication with delegates through new channels.”
One of the new initiatives is the launch of the Corporate Travel Network (CTN) virtual community on Facebook. It is a new concept to achieve better communications through new avenues and to stay abreast of the latest technological advancement. The CTN is an online community opened for corporate travel managers who are involved in the planning, purchasing and/or managing of business travel for their companies or organisations. This social community is a meeting place and a sharing place – to instantaneously connect and interact with peers from anywhere in the world about the role and tasks they perform or other aspects of their professional activities and interests.
For the first time this year, electronic direct mails on buyers’ promotion and media participation will be sent in Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages. This is a move to attract higher participation from buyers and media from the Chinese, Japanese and Korean MICE and business travel markets.
Delegates can also look forward to receiving the second edition of the MICE and Corporate Travel Pocket Guide. Apart from a glossary of terms commonly used in the MICE and business travel industries, the second edition will include a new reference section on useful industry-related websites such as those of airlines, convention venues, hotels and resorts and trade associations.
The combined IT&CMA and CTW event is once again privileged to receive support from partners of the host country, Thailand. They include TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau), TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand), TICA (Thailand Incentive and Convention Association), AOT (Airports of Thailand) and national carrier THAI (Thai Airways International).
In addition, the doublebill event is supported by the following Endorsing and Supporting Associations:
- ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
- HATA (Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents)
- IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers)
- ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association)
- MPI (Meeting Professionals International)
- NBTA (National Business Travel Association)
- PASAS (Purchasing and Supply Association of Singapore)
- PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association)
- SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) – Hong Kong Chapter
- TGP (Thailand Chapter and Thai Gifts and Premiums & Decorative Association)
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
