Keynote address, seminar sessions and new trade seminars provide added incentive for delegates at IT&CM China 2009

Dr George Zhibin Gu, Commentator/Columnist and Author of China’s Global Reach and China and the New World Order, will deliver the keynote address – ‘How China’s Global Reach is Altering the World Map’ at IT&CM China 2009. 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.

Dr Gu commented, “In the past 30 years, China has travelled light years to become an increasingly dynamic and open nation. What is really behind all the changes? To me: entrepreneurship, open society, and global involvement are the three main forces, and these forces will be extremely relevant to help the world move beyond the global financial crisis.”

Dr Gu was educated at Nanjing University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Michigan. He holds two MS and a PhD from the University of Michigan. For the last 15 years, he has been deeply involved in the investment world with a focus on China. His work focuses on helping international businesses to invest in China and the Chinese companies to expand overseas.

Apart from the keynote address and the IT&CM China Seminars, new Trade China Seminars will be added to IT&CM China 2009 to help participants gain insight into the next emerging MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) powerhouse – China. Two seminars will be held daily from 16 to 17 April and will be chaired by China-based experts in the field. They will provide a better understanding on the inner workings of the MICE industry, to equip participants to face the challenges of this competitive business environment.

These experts will share trade secrets, from designing and tailoring your travel incentive programmes to improve overall performance of employees, employing the right social networking tools to ensure you get ahead in your business, to finding the right business partners and leveraging on their strengths to achieve better outcomes for your meetings, programmes and events.

Trade Seminar 1: Creating a Business Case for a Travel Incentive Programme – A Blueprint for Success
Well-designed travel incentive programmes can achieve desired results, be it to engage workers, to enhance productivity, or to improve performance. Thomas Zheng Daqi, Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Beijing Talent Power Consulting Co Ltd, will offer a blueprint for selling an incentive travel programme to a new client or senior management.

Trade Seminar 2: Social Networking – Should You be Using This?
Discover the power of networking with Roy Graff, Managing Director and Founder of China Contact, and take away secrets and strategies to get ahead in your life and business. Graff will also speak at IT&CM China Seminar 1A on China’s successful bid of the World Expo 2010.

Trade Seminar 3: Partnering with Hotels for Successful Meetings
Frankie Gao, Managing Director of MCI – Shanghai, will take you through the ins and outs of choosing and working with a hotel, including site inspections and strategic negotiations.

Trade Seminar 4: Partnering with Cruise Liners for Successful Events
Ella Bee, Marketing Director, Costa Crociere Pacific Asia Operation, will enlighten participants how to make better choices when working with cruise liners, from understanding the different products and itineraries, to negotiating strategies and developing relationships with cruise liners.

More industry experts and professionals will also share insights and knowledge at the IT&CM China Seminars on 16 and 17 April:
– Nigel Collin, Speaker, Author & Facilitator on Business Creativity at Seminar 1B, on ‘When the Going Gets Tough, Creativity Counts’.
– Shlomi Ashkenazi, Director of Purchasing, Kenes International at Seminar 2A, on ‘Measuring Success for Your Meetings and Events’.
– Albert Ng, CEO & Co-Founder of Wild China at Seminar 2B, on ‘New Trend: Towards Responsible Incentives’.

Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “China is definitely a growing force to be reckoned with. We have seen more Chinese participation since the inaugural IT&CM China in 2007. For 2009, we have new Chinese state pavilions, more local buyers participation, and the added Trade China Seminars, which will shed more light on this rising MICE powerhouse.“

Apart from the seminar sessions, attendees at this year’s show can expect a sell-out exhibition which will span some 6,200 square metres. It has attracted the participation of more than 199 exhibiting companies and organisations from 20 countries. A host of exciting social and networking events will also be held throughout the three-day event.

Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, commented, “We believe that the strong Chinese support coupled with continued participation from international exhibitors and buyers, IT&CM China 2009 will be the tradeshow to watch this year. The vibrant mix of East and West will generate attractive business opportunities for all.”

IT&CM China 2009 will be held at the ShanghaiMart Expo from 15 to 17 April 2009, and is expected to draw more than 2,000 local and international MICE professionals. The show 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. Visit www.itcmchina.com for more information.

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 organiser 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, 2009 and 2010. It also publishes five titles targeted at distinct sectors of the travel trade: TTG Asia, TTG China, TTG India, 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. which views Internet services as its core business and operates principally in China. It is listed on the Growth Market Enterprise (GEM) of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (Stock Code: 8006). For more information on TTG Asia Media, visit www.ttgasiamedia.com.

About MP International
The MP International (MPI) group of companies specialises in organising exhibitions, conferences and special events for various industries and interest groups. Established in 1987 by PICO, the group has organised 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.