IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 will kick off in Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow with a far stronger attendance compared to its first post-lockdown resumption last year.
Some 500 exhibitors from 241 exhibiting companies and organisations, 400 buyers from 51 countries/territories, and 51 media professionals from 23 countries/territories will be in attendance.
This compares with 325 exhibitors from 135 exhibiting companies and organisations, 387 buyers from 55 countries/territories, and 64 media professionals from 26 countries/territories in 2022.
Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, the organiser behind the double-bill event in Bangkok as well as the wider IT&CM business events industry-focused tradeshow series, said: “The mood across the business events industry is a lot more upbeat this year compared to the last, when we restarted the tradeshow in 2022.”
Ng added: “Some companies were eager to get back to business travel and events last year despite some travel obstacles. So, the appetite was clearly there.
“Now that the last remaining Covid travel restrictions have been lifted, along with the reinstatement of more flights around the world and in Asia-Pacific, companies are far more able to resume their activities. That has led to a corresponding surge in competition among destinations and suppliers to do their best to support event owners and organisers.”
Buyers keen to reestablish their supplier network and discover new event ideas will be spoilt for choice, as destinations like Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and the Philippines lead a strong supplier delegation to IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023.
While IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2023 promise opportunities for business creation and event ideation, Ng said attendees would also take home enhanced knowledge of the industry through keynotes and presentations led by industry leaders.
Some session highlights include a presentation on what makes the perfect incentive travel experience, led by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence; and how the decarbonisation of business events can be accelerated. These sessions are presented on September 27 and 28 at the Knowledge Hub.
IT&CM Asia will be in its 31st edition this year, while CTW Asia-Pacific will be in its 26th. As a result of their proven contribution to forward bookings and business leads, both events have acquired loyal supporters, according to Ng.
“Many of our biggest exhibitors, in terms of booth size, are regular participants, like Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, Seoul as a standalone booth, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau,” he shared.
This year, Thailand has the honour of being the largest destination pavilion, followed by Macau and Hong Kong.
His most recent role was as general manager at Grand Millennium Beijing Hotel.
Villena’s extensive background in hotel sales, marketing and event management included her stint as group DOSM of The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, director of sales at The Bellevue Resort Bohol, and pre-opening DOSM at City Garden Grand Hotel.
Chang joins from the Singapore Tourism Board, where he had an illustrious 26-year career. He was integral to the growth and development of Singapore’s tourism sector, and was last assistant chief executive (marketing) at the organisation.
