MUNICH-based Amiando, a specialist in online event registration and ticketing, has created an iPhone application (app) that allows conference hosts to send conference details and communication direct to delegates.

To customise Amiando’s Conference2go app, event organisers only need to transfer relevant details such as the programme agenda and speakers’ bio and contact details to Amiando. A feature-rich app will then be developed and uploaded in Apple’s App Store for delegates to download.

The app will enable delegates to import presentation schedules to their own diaries, and maximise networking opportunities through a messaging platform and an attendee search tool. Event organisers will benefit from improved marketing communications as details of the event, exhibitors and sponsors can be included in the app.

Event organisers can book the app through Amiando for 997 Euros (US$1,320).

THIS YEAR’s IT&CM China, the sixth edition of the show, will see a one-third growth in size, with 50 new international and domestic exhibiting companies, larger booths taken by returning exhibitors and more than 400 international buyers.

New exhibitors, including corporate brands such as Dusit International and HNA Hotels & Resorts, and tourism bureaus such as the Jeju Convention & Visitor Bureau, Switzerland Tourism and Geneva Convention Bureau, will cover over a quarter of IT&CM China’s total floor space.

Returning exhibitors include Sanya Tourism Bureau, which has committed to a larger booth space this year, JinJiang International Hotel Management and Wuzhen Tourism.

TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media and one of the organisers of the annual MICE show, said in a press statement that the confidence of both new and returning exhibitors reaffirmed IT&CM China as the leading international MICE event in China. China International Travel Service’s (CITS) entry to the tripartite partnership (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 15, 2011), which also includes MP International, is said to have been a big draw for local and international participation.

The show’s larger international buyer participation also includes representation from new participating countries such as Czech Republic, Denmark and Morocco.

IT&CM China, to be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre from April 17-19, is part of Shanghai Business Events Week, which will feature seven other industry business, education and networking events from April 16-20.

THE MALAYSIAN Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) will make raising the MICE capabilities of various Malaysian states its priority this year.

Efforts include a training seminar in January, led by international MICE veterans, to show MICE sellers and state officials how events in Malaysia can be more innovative, regular roadshows in different states to raise the awareness of the economic benefits MICE brings, as well as close partnerships with state tourism offices to develop fresh programmes to entice MICE buyers.

Ho Yoke Ping, general manager of sales and marketing, MyCEB, told TTGmice e-Weekly that the bureau would also play an advisory role to Malaysian states, providing input on how infrastructure developments can be shaped to cater to MICE.

According to Ho, several Malaysian states were “getting more active in the pursuit of MICE business”.

“There’s a lot of construction going on in some of the states,” she said.

“Penang is building a convention centre, Johor will have the Legoland theme park and a convention centre by the Genting Group (which will be built along with a water theme park and 2,000-key hotel as the second phase of the group’s Johor Premium Outlets), and Malacca’s Arab City is being planned.”