Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia is scheduled Sept. 18-20 at the Bangkok Convention Center at CentralWorld. Riding on the success of last year’s anniversary show, IT&CMA continues to showcase the largest congregation of Asian MICE CVBs and NTOs. In addition, exhibitors have significantly increased their space this year. The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau has increased by 60 percent, Pattaya MICE City and Worldwide Cruise Associates have increased by 50 percent each, Tourism Promotion Board Philippines and Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau by 33 percent each and India Tourism by 12 percent.
“IT&CMA continues to be at the forefront of shaping Asia-Pacific’s business events market potential for all stakeholders,” says Darren Ng, managing director, TTG Asia Media. “The labors of our accumulated efforts over two decades have clearly imbued a sense of confidence through the success of our anniversary show last year. This is a testament to the quality of sellers and buyers IT&CMA consistently brings to our shows, with this 26th year being even bigger and better.”
IT&CMA’s largest Japan display to date welcomes six global MICE cities—Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagasaki, Osaka and Sapporo—eager to charm MICE and association buyers. JTB Corporation’s Asia- Pacific arm is also exhibiting alongside the significant Japan cluster, showcasing their extensive DMC capabilities for MICE and business travel management.
“TCEB is proud to be a long-standing and active strategic partner and host,” says Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. “IT&CMA is a vital part of our business events calendar in leading meaningful growth for the Thai MICE industry and local economies. Our continued commitment to nurturing this demand will bring in even more uniquely Thai organizations with our substantial expansion.”
Meanwhile, Seoul Tourism Organization looks to boost their MICE competitiveness with renewed focus on Asia-Pacific since formally becoming a government-funded foundation, debuting an independent pavilion this year to further promote their PLUS SEOUL Package, an all-in-one MICE support initiative.
Keen to tap on Asia-Pacific interests, Dominique Oi, MICE manager South East Asia, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, shared their excitement to leverage on IT&CMA to reach out to incentive planners and buyers. “Switzerland is a leading incentive destination for the premium market and we want to promote our hidden incentive gems,” says Oi. “Our new MICE Planner, created specifically for meeting planners, incorporates the highest standards in quality and hospitality, and is optimized to deliver the best experience to our Asia-Pacific clientele.”
Other new and returning destinations and corporates on board include Chiangmai, Indonesia, Jeju, Korea, Lanna, Macao, Malaysia, NYC & Company, Taiwan, as well as Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Centara, Desaru Coast, EventsAir, Krung Kavee Golf Course & Country Club, Marshall Cavendish, Princess Cruises, Radisson Hotel Group, Resorts World Sentosa, Royal Caribbean, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Sampran Riverside, Shenzhen Ucloudlink Tech, Slickbooth Cambodia, Thai Airways and more.
All in all, IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2018 expects more than 3,000 delegates in attendance, including more than 800 exhibitors from some 300 exhibiting companies and 450 hosted buyers, to do business, network and educate over three action-packed days. Delegates can also look forward to an intensive education program and hosted social functions by partners and sponsors.
Co-located with CTW Asia-Pacific, IT&CMA is part of the IT&CM Events series organized by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media. IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific is Asia-Pacific’s only doublebill event in MICE and corporate travel. Both events have been co-locating since 2004, offering its delegates an unparalleled platform to do business, learn and network. For more info, visit www.itcma.com and www.corporatetravelworld.com/apac.
