For the IT&CMA and CTW Bangkok, 5-8 Oct 2010, we spoke with Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia:
1.Tourism-Insider: How many exhibitors will be attending your show and how many buyers?
Darren Ng: Each year IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific is attended by more than 2,000 delegates from over 60 countries. IT&CMA – the MICE exhibition and business networking platform presents some 700 odd exhibitors from 300 exhibiting companies and close to 500 quality MICE and corporate travel buyers. The 2009 show achieved a higher buyer to exhibitor ratio of 1.4 buyers:1 exhibiting company.
The remaining delegation consists of the conference delegates from the corporate travel conference event – CTW Asia Pacific, media, trade visitors, VIP, guests and speakers.
Figures for the 2010 show are still in tabulation but based on the current registration rates, we expect this year’s 18th IT&CMA and 13th CTW Asia-Pacific 2010 to exceed last year’s performance.
Please see this graphic for a more detailed reference.
2. Tourism-Insider: When was your tradeshow launched and how many installments have there been?
Darren NG: IT&CMA started in 1992 and will be holding its 18th installment in 2010. The IT&CMA is widely recognized as the premier incentive and meetings show in the Asia-Pacific region. IT&CMA has the largest collection of Asia-Pacific incentive and meetings product suppliers compared to other related shows in the world. It provides the best business platform for MICE sellers and buyers worldwide to gather and interact in one strategic location.
Begun in 1997, the Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia-Pacific is a conference and exhibition on Travel & Entertainment (T&E) management for the Asia-Pacific region. The CTW is the first and best ROI (Return on Investment) event on Travel and Entertainment management in the Asia-Pacific region. Hundreds of corporate travel managers, travel agencies and suppliers meet to discuss the impact of global and regional issues on the development of business travel into and out of Asia Pacific. This 2010 will be the event’s 13th installment.
Over the years, IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific have grown in size and stature, attracting quality buyers and travel managers from the trade, corporate and association sectors. Both events have been co-locating since 2004.
3.Tourism-Insider: In the months of September and October we have many similar tradeshows in Asia. This costs organizers as well as buyers and exhibitors a lot of money and time. What can you suggest to buyers and exhibitors and why should the buyers and exhibitors choose your show? What is your USP? Why Should Buyers Participate?
Darren Ng:
1. Provides buyers the best return on investment of their time: The 3-day programme is structured for buyers to source, learn and network with peers. Comprehensive appointment sessions, built-in seminar sessions and a host of networking functions and tours delivers what any buyer would look for in a must-attend trade show.
For example, IT&CMA helps buyers to meet sellers through the computer-matching pre-scheduling (based on both buyer and seller preferences) and on-site appointment scheduling sessions, ensuring that both parties maximise their time during the show and increase their productivity.
2. Best selection of MICE destinations and suppliers: it is an opportunity for buyers to source from some of Asia’s best selection of destinations and suppliers, and put forth a unique and inspiring event or travel programme of their own. This exhibition and business networking platform is also ideal to expand business prospects, networks and strengthen ties with the MICE industry.
3. Our show invests in quality, bona fide buyers: Each year, the event hosts quality and bona fide international buyers who will add-value to IT&CMA’s business experience. A dedicated buyers team is on the constant look-out for new prospective buyers. The Buyer Hosting Programme offers qualified MICE buyers complimentary flight and/or hotel accommodation, among other hosting privileges.
Why Should Exhibitors Participate?
1. Meet Not 1, But 2 Buyer Groups: Our unique Doublebill concept allows exhibitors to target and do business on both the M.I.C.E. and Corporate / Business Travel fronts. They get to meet 2 different segments of buyers: M.I.C.E. Buyers and Corporate Travel Managers.
2. Our Proven Matchmaking Formula: IT&CMA pre schedules 60% of appointments based on computer matching; perfect match, Exhibitor’s preferences and Buyer’s preference. Flexibility is given to allow 40% of appointments to be filled onsite.
3. Optimizing the number of sales leads gathered: Exhibitors get a minimum of 32 Appointments per 9sqm space booked.
4. Comprehensive show programme: that allows them to do business, learn and network.
4. Tourism-Insider: Besides the time-related problem, we always see another problem during our visits to the shows. This is not an Asian problem, in our opinion, but a worldwide one. How do you choose a person for the Hosted Buyer status? You as organizer spend a lot of money on these invited guests – how do you ensure the productivity?
We sometimes meet “Hosted Buyers” who are retired and no longer working in the industry. We know this for certain from Germany because this is our home country and we have the possibilities here to check.
Darren Ng: All interested buyers go through a stringent validation process that would determine their qualification as bona fide and valuable buyers. The qualification can include the represented company’s profile, the applicant’s role, nomination, references and past business track records gathered at our events, among other criteria. In addition, the validation team also utilizes feedback from the exhibitors to determine if buyers should be welcomed back to the next year’s event. Only the best buyers are invited and hosted at IT&CMA and CTW.
5. Tourism-Insider: How can your global media partners support you in this case?
Darren Ng: Media partners play a role in promoting the show to audiences that the organizers are looking to reach. Media support is given in many ways including articles to publicize the show, advertisement inserts and distributing of marketing collaterals to their readers.
Our media partners currently hail from around the world, from Asia, Europe to South Africa, enabling IT&CMA and CTW to receive worldwide event.
Tourism-Insider: Thank you very much for your time!
