IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific to introduce new elements this year

TRADE interest in IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2014 remains strong, with the event seen as an opportunity to restore confidence in Thailand’s MICE and corporate travel sectors affected by the country’s political crisis.

Speaking at the event’s preview on Tuesday in Bangkok, Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, said current demand from the industry is robust, and the show expected to outperform last year’s.

“There has been some impact from the political situation (in Thailand), but we’re pleased to see support from a lot of our exhibitors from last year. We’ve already sold more than 1,000m2 of space to NTOs and CVBs, and our sign-up rate is better than the same time last year,” said Ng.

TTG Events and key partner Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) are hopeful many of Thailand’s current problems affecting the trade will be resolved by the time the event is held from September 20 to October 2.

Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB president, said he is confident the tradeshow would top last year’s attendance of 1,300 delegates.

A number of new initiatives will be implemented this year. TCEB is sponsoring a hosted buyers’ lounge for scheduled networking events and coffee breaks.

TCEB will also be arranging Bangkok city tours and post-event fam trips to Chiang Rai and Phuket.

“These will offer new creative programmes, which have not be seen before, so buyers can experience something really new and innovative in Thailand,” said Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, director of meetings, incentives & conventions, TCEB.

The associations and corporate day will feature a larger educational component to attract more buyers to the event, said Ng. Alliances are being strengthened with other trade associations, such as IMEX and SITE.

“We are also expanding our post-IT&CMA tour to include another country, probably Cambodia, to help promote Thailand as a hub for accessing the region,” he added. “We will also schedule trips to secondary Thai cities to support TCEB’s MICE Cities programme.”

Last year’s event saw 70 per cent of buyers concluding business deals totalling US$45 million.

Sponsored Post