Enhanced knowledge platform and increased networking opportunities at ITB

SINGAPORE – Messe Berlin (Singapore), organizer of ITB Asia, “The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market,” has announced the largest conference program line-up ever for this year’s show with the addition of two new conference partners – TTG Asia and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Currently in its fourth year, ITB Asia is known for having successfully established a credible and international knowledge-sharing platform alongside the trade show, through the series of conferences, seminars, and workshops it organizes. Held from October 19-21 in Suntec Singapore, ITB Asia delegates can look forward to attending two new events – the inaugural TTG Travel Agent Conference and the Asia for Asia Conference, as well as the second installment of the successful ITB Asia Association Day.

“With close to 800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries from all aspects of the Asian travel industry participating in the show, ITB Asia sits on the pulse of the regional travel, tourism, and hospitality industries,” said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.

“We constantly seek feedback from particpants to ensure the conference program is relevant and able to address the latest developments, challenges, and trends in the industry. This way, we hope to spark more sharing and collaborative efforts to capitalize on growth opportunities within the region,” he added.

The TTG Travel Agent Conference held on October 21 is an opportunity not to be missed for travel agents looking to learn from the best in the industry. It is the region’s first travel agent conference organized by TTG Asia Media and promises to deliver practical know-how and tangible learning points that travel agents can apply to their businesses to elevate success. Covering a range of topics, the conference includes case studies of super agents and tips for success in customised travel and online businesses. Entry is free for ITB Asia delegates and TTG Asia subscribers.

The fifth Asia for Asia Conference, organized by the Singapore Tourism Board in conjunction with The Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB), will be held in Singapore for the very first time this year at ITB Asia. Themed “Asia Rising: The Future of Meetings,” this year’s Asia for Asia Conference will explore the macro trends of the Asian travel industry, offering valuable insights and learnings from the experts, innovators, leaders, and trendsetters of the meetings industry. The Asia for Asia Conference will be held on October 20 and attendance is by invitation only for selected ITB Asia delegates.

Encouraged by the overwhelming success of the introduction of ITB Asia Association Day last year, the conference will be back this year on October 20, as well as with new features such as a specialist forum dedicated to understanding and growing the association meeting sector in Asia. Renowned association speakers will hold in-depth panel discussions on topics relating to association management and the challenges in holding association meetings in Asia. Association Day represents the joint collaboration and international expertise of key industry players Messe Berlin, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, and Ace: Daytons Direct and Suntec Singapore. Entry is open to ITB Asia-hosted Association buyers only.

Held in conjunction with ITB Asia, the seventh Web In Travel (WIT), will once again see the gathering of leaders in the travel distribution, marketing, and technology industry. The intense two-day WIT conference centered around the theme, “Find Your Groove,” (October 18-19) will be preceded by “WITovation Bootcamp – Entrepreneurship & Innovation” (October 17) and followed by four “ITB Asia Clinics” (October 20-21). Delegates interested in attending WIT can register separately at www.webintravel.com .

Focusing on industry how-tos with tips from experts such as TripAdvisor and RateTiger, “ITB Asia Clinics” is free for all ITB Asia 2011 visitors and exhibitors.

ITB Asia is a unique international platform that unites the travel and tourism industry to exchange valuable insights and business leads, attracting 6,605 attendees and 720 exhibitors from over 60 countries in 2010. ITB Asia is also a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week, organized by the Singapore Tourism Board to be held in Singapore in October 2011.