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| Fresh Ideas and New Activities at Asia-Pacific’s Doublebill Event The combined IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific, the region's premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) and Corporate Travel event is set to advance to a new phase with a slew of "new frontiers" and "green" initiatives. Led by the 2008 theme – "New Frontiers – Optimise Returns", the 16th IT&CMA and 11th CTW will be held at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok, Thailand, from 7 to 9 October 2008. Organiser TTG Asia Media expects the Doublebill event (two shows at one location) to attract more than 2,000 industry professionals from Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world. This year will see an increase in the number of MICE and corporate travel buyers from Australia, China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and USA, as a result of strategic marketing and partnerships with industry partners. Two "Fast Forward Packages" have been designed to attract MICE buyers and corporate travel planners based in markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand who wish to attend the event but have limited time. The exhibition front records a strong growth through positive exhibitors' responses and entry of new exhibitors. The Thailand pavilion has expanded its exhibition space by 30 per cent, while the Macau pavilion has significantly increased its floor space many folds to 252 sqm. The Gifts & Premiums showcase will have - for the first time - participation of members from Supporting Association – GAS (Gifts Association Singapore). There will also be new categories of exhibitors such as spas and golf resorts. More value-added services are provided for exhibitors this year. The "Nominate your Dream Buyers" promotion was launched to allow exhibitors to nominate their desired association, agency or corporate buyers via the "Nominate your Dream Buyers" link on the event website. Exhibitors can also avail themselves to a host of marketing opportunities and sponsorship activities. They can showcase their products and services in both print and online channels, such as event newsletters, show directory, show diary, event website and electronic direct mails. Other marketing avenues include on-site publicity where exhibitors can arrange with the Organiser to display their corporate collaterals at the Media Centre at no cost. On the educational front, delegates will gain from the improved conference and educational content. CTW is the first event to offer the Fundamentals of Business Management Starter Course leading to the CTE (Corporate Travel ExpertSM) designation in the region this year. The one-day workshop, scheduled on 6 October followed by an exam the next day, is an introduction to the primary components of managed travel and has been structured and formatted to suit the needs of Asia-Pacific based travel professionals. This year's Curtain Raiser is primed as the opening act to set the frame of mind for attendees facing an ever-challenging business environment. The three-part opener will kick off with an interactive on-the-spot poll followed by two keynote addresses on different but insightful perspectives of 'happiness' or 'motivation', a key to performance for all organisations in the MICE and corporate travel industries. We are featuring not one, but two acclaimed speakers, namely Andrew Matthews, international author/speaker from Australia and Hans Lerch, industry veteran and former CEO of Kuoni Holding and SR Technics Group from Switzerland. IT&CMA and CTW is advocating the "green" movement this year with the inaugural "Stickiest Green Champions" as part of the 7th Sticky Awards. Started in 2002, the Sticky Awards is the favourite award given to IT&CMA and CTW exhibitors, buyers and travel managers who have shown their professionalism, creativity and effort during the event. The new "Stickiest Green Champions" series is open to all exhibitors and journalists who have contributed to reducing the negative environmental impact in the industry and promoted sustainable tourism. Exhibitors can submit their entries for the "Stickiest Green Booth" and "Stickiest Green Giveaway" categories, while journalists can send in their articles on a "green" issue to vie for the "Stickiest Green Article" title. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Exhibition News :: home page |