INTO its ninth edition, IT&CM China 2015 will take place at a fresh venue in Shanghai this year.
Deemed the Pearl on the River, Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing (SHCEC) is located in the centre of Shanghai Changfeng Ecological Business District, surrounded by Suzhou River and adjacent to Hongqiao business area. SHCEC has a total area of 9,000m2 of conference rooms, 16,000 m2 of exhibition area, 5,000 m2 of catering area and 800 underground parking lots.
Furthermore, three properties from the Marriott Group – JW Marriott Shanghai Changfeng Park, Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel and Shanghai Marriott Hotel Parkview – have partnered with IT&CM China as official hotels for over 400 hosted delegates.
At the same time, IT&CM China is expecting a 25 per cent increase in MICE suppliers and showcase at Thailand’s 60m2 pavilion, which is fronted by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and includes first-time participant Thailand Incentive and Convention Association.
On the motivation of returning with a larger presence, Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, director of meetings, incentives and conventions department of TCEB, explained: “China has been one of Thailand’s top three market sources for MICE travellers for the past five years. In 2013, it rose to claim the number one spot. With such a strong performance record and bright prospects, we need to deepen our focus on China. Through our participation at IT&CM China, we will also create more opportunities for our Thai MICE suppliers to meet MICE buyers in China.”
More than 600 international and domestic buyers can be expected at the 2015 show, in addition to long-time exhibitors as well as new players such as Berlin Tourismus & Kongress and Business Events Australia.
Heike Mahmoud, CMP, director conventions of Berlin Tourismus & Kongress, said: “Our goal is to develop and expand our network in China and to promote Berlin’s diverse offers – the modern hotel landscape, the city’s exceptional incentives and high-class restaurants. With its good networking options, IT&CM China 2015 will be a great opportunity to intensify our cooperation with Chinese partners.”
Echoing her agreement is LC Tan, regional business director – Greater China, business events of Business Events Australia: “Trade events like IT&CM China have strategic importance to deepen and strengthen Australia’s relationship with Chinese buyers and business partners as well as create awareness for its trade engagement programme and tailored tools for the Chinese market.”
Over 600 international and Chinese buyers attended the 2014 event, of which some 490 came from the various regions of China. This surged the ratio of Chinese buyers to an all-time high of 70 per cent of the buyer delegation.
