New chapter and initiatives at 2008 Asia-Pacific double-billed event

SINGAPORE (August 14, 2008) – The combined IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific, the region’s premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Co

SINGAPORE (August 14, 2008) – 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 Center at CentralWorld, Bangkok, Thailand, from October 7-9, 2008. Organizer TTG Asia Media expects the double-billed event (two shows at one location) to attract more than 2,000 leading industry professionals from Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.

First and foremost, buyers’ and exhibitors’ profiles in key markets have been expanded. 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 percent, 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 organizer to display their corporate collaterals at the Media Center 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 October 6 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 organizations 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 favorite 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.

About the shows

Now in its 16th year, IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) is the region’s premier meetings and incentive travel show and is attended by thousands of delegates from more than 40 countries. IT&CMA is a platform for promoting the Asia-Pacific region as a MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions & Exhibitions) destination, as well as a source for MICE visitors.

Now in its 11th year, CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific is a two-day conference and exhibition on Travel & Entertainment (T&E) management for the Asia-Pacific region. It is a platform for hundreds of corporate travel managers, travel agencies and suppliers to meet and discuss the impact of global and regional issues on the development of business travel into and out of the region.

About the Show Organizer

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 its partners 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) and CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific
– IT&CM (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings) China 2007 and 2008
– CT&TW (Corporate Travel & Technology World) China 2007
– ITS (International Travel Show) Thailand 2004 and 2005
– Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) Plus 2005
– ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2006

It also publishes four titles targeted at distinct sectors of the travel trade: TTG Asia, TTG China, TTGmice and TTG BT-mice China. These trade shows and publications provide the best marketing access to Asia-Pacific’s travel marketplace, influencers and decision makers.

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 Internet media. CDC Corporation is headquartered in Hong Kong with operations in 14 countries and listed on NASDAQ under the symbol CHINA.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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