Third MICE exhibition sees new state pavilions pledging support, with more hosted buyers coming from within the country
IT&CM (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings) China returns to Shanghai in April for the third year with a bigger Chinese contingent. Show organizers – TTG Asia Media and MP International – have confirmed the participation of four of China’s tourism hotspots in the all-encompassing MICE tradeshow.
Themed as “Promoting China to the World and the World to China”, IT&CM China 2009 will be held from 15 to 17 April 2009 at the ShanghaiMart Expo. More than 2,000 leading industry professionals from China and the rest of the world will attend the event and experience the winning elements of China as “The Next MICE Powerhouse”.
This year, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration of the host city has commissioned the Shanghai Tourism Trade Association to organize a sizeable pavilion which includes over twelve Shanghai based hotels and travel agents. Chinese cities, namely Guilin, Hangzhou, Sanya and Dalian will also participate at IT&CM China for the first time. These state tourism organizations will rope in established hotels and resorts, travel management companies and other service providers to their state pavilions.
The Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau is making a concerted effort to drive more visitors to the province with a big showcase of their best offerings to IT&CM China buyers. The Hangzhou Tourism Commission, which has offered post-show incentive tours to the scenic city in previous IT&CM China shows, has further pledged their support by organizing a pavilion this year.
The Sanya pavilion will be spearheaded by the Sanya Tourism Industry Development Bureau. The southern-most city located on the tropical island of Hainan and one of newest leisure resort destinations in the world, Sanya has been experiencing a rising demand for MICE travel and is an excellent MICE destination for both domestic and international markets.
Recognized as one of the ‘Best Tourism Cities’ in 2006 by China National Tourism Administration, Dalian is another up and coming MICE destination in China. The Dalian pavilion includes Dalian Furama, Dalian Shangri-la and Dalian Bayshore Hotel groups. The Dalian Municipal Bureau of Tourism will also provide a post-show incentive tour to the city to IT&CM China delegates at discounted rates.
Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “IT&CM China has grown since its inaugural show in 2007. With the overwhelming support from local industry players this year, especially the confirmation of the state pavilions, our show proves as the platform to showcase China’s MICE products, services and destinations to the world. Both international and local buyers will have a fruitful time exploring the various exciting options China has to offer as an interesting MICE destination.”
In addition, the number of quality Chinese MICE buyers is set to increase this year with the confirmed participation of HUBS1, a leading web-based travel distribution marketplace in China and the official hotel reservation service provider and sponsor of the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. With directive from the Shanghai World Expo 2010 organizing committee, HUBS1 will be sourcing for hotels and resorts at IT&CM China 2009 for some 70,000,000 visitors who will require accommodation during the show.
The show organizers will validate and select up to 300 key Chinese and international MICE buyers to attend the event, of which 50 percent is made up of local buyers from all parts of China while the remaining buyers hail from over 32 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.
Participation from the international front remains strong with key MICE suppliers showing ardent support for IT&CM China. Exhibitors making their debut in 2009 are Marco Polo Hotels, Tourism Montreal and Japan National Tourism Organization. Returning corporate exhibitors include Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Kempinski S.A., Langham Hotels International, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Nikko Hotels International, Fairmont, Raffles, Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, Taipei World Trade Center and Worldhotels AG.
The national/state tourism organizations participating for the second consecutive year are the Egyptian Embassy in China, Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Singapore Tourism Board and Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau. With greater confidence in the 2009 show, Korea Tourism Organization and Hong Kong Tourism Board have returned and signed up for bigger exhibiting space.
Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, commented, “Given the current economic downturn, we are heartened by the continued support from our exhibitors. As budget strings become tighter, participation at such tradeshows comes under great scrutiny due to measurable return on investments. Based on the success of previous shows, IT&CM China has proven itself as an effective vehicle for generating new business leads and a platform for educational and networking opportunities.”
The show is organized by TTG Asia Media and MP International. It is supported by SMTA (Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration), SCEIA (Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association), ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers), PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) and SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) – Hong Kong Chapter. Visit www.itcmchina.com for more information.
ORGANIZERS
About TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd
TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd is the region’s leading travel and tourism business information and access provider. With extensive industry involvement through a wide range of media products including publications, exhibitions, database management and the Internet, the company provides the partners of IT&CM China with integrated marketing solutions and effective platforms to showcase their products and services to the industry.
TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd is also a leading organizer and event manager of travel trade shows in Asia, including IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia), CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific, ITS (International Travel Show) Thailand 2004 and 2005, Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) Plus 2005 and ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2009. It also publishes four titles targeted at distinct sectors of the travel trade: TTG Asia, TTG China, TTGmice and TTG-BTmice China. These trade shows and publications provide the best marketing access to Asia-Pacific’s travel marketplace, influencers and deciders.
TTG Asia Media is a member company of China.com Inc. China.com Inc. is a Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS), Internet portal services and online game services company operating principally in China. It is listed on the Growth Market Enterprise (GEM) of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Its majority owner, CDC Corporation, is a provider of enterprise software, business services, mobile applications and Internal media. CDC Corporation is headquartered in Hong Kong with operations in 14 countries and listed on NASDAQ under the symbol CHINA. For more information on TTG Asia Media, visit www.ttgasiamedia.com.
About MP International
The MP International (MPI) group of companies specialises in organizing exhibitions, conferences and special events for various industries and interest groups. Established in 1987 by PICO, the group has organized and managed some 300 national, regional and international events. Headquartered in Singapore, it has established overseas offices in Shanghai and Dubai. It has been appointed to handle ITMA 2011, a mega textile machinery show spanning 100,000sqm nett, in Barcelona, Spain. For more information on MP International, visit www.mpinetwork.com.
