Setting the tone for IT&CM China and CTW China, the much anticipated opening keynote underscores the significance and role of Innovation in the industry’s pursuit of sustainability.
Shanghai, China – IT&CM China and CTW China kickstarted yesterday, its 13th and 5th edition respectively, with new initiatives that feature throughout the 3-day event. Aimed at enhancing delegates’ experience, China’s only doublebill event in MICE and Corporate Travel has re-designed its Business, Networking and Education programme that continues to lead the industry in outbound, inbound and domestic demand.
Setting the tone for IT&CM China and CTW China, the much anticipated opening keynote underscores the significance and role of Innovation in the industry’s pursuit of sustainability. Delivered in the style of inspiring TED talks, the keynote was a culmination of three different perspectives of how organisations in China’s MICE industry can embrace innovation to stay sustainable and relevant in the years to come.
Presenters are illustrious leaders in their field – Shelley Tang, General Manager of Hangzhou International Expo Center and North Stars Venue Management Co., Ltd; Chris Dingcong, Creative and Managing Director, Springtime Design Limited (Hong Kong) and Lucas Rondez, Founder, CEO and Investment Manager of niHUB Innovation Center & Starup Accelerator & Incubator; and Guoye Qiu, General Manager of Xiamen ITG MICE Group Co., Ltd. The latter is presenting partner of this year’s keynote.
Said keynote moderator Noor Ahmad Hamid, Regional Director (Asia Pacific) of ICCA, “A hot topic like Innovation transcends industries. Learning tried and proven concepts and ideas from success stories within and outside of MICE is a great way to kickstart an inspiring IT&CM China and CTW China”. Olivia Jia, Senior Manager of IME Consulting joins Noor as co-moderator.
Delegates will find plenty more elements of innovation weaved throughout various content components across the show with strong take-up of this year’s new initiatives.
GL Events, Hainan, Macau, Philippines, Qingdao, Taiwan, Thailand, and Xiamen are among the featured destinations and brands in the guided Exhibition Walkabout comprising of Association Buyers and Media, while IT&CM China exhibitors Accor Hotels, Evergrande Venice Resort, Hard Rock International, Sunway Hotels & Resorts and Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center have chosen the inaugural Meet The Corporates to connect with CTW China corporate travel procurement buyers in a speed-dating format.
Open to all MICE and Association buyers and media, Qingdao Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Meet Taiwan, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Convention and Exhibition Affairs, Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center, Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province and GL Events will be sharing their latest developments first-hand at Brand Showcase Presentations.
Collectively, the Brand Showcase Presentations, Meet The Corporates and Exhibition Walkabout provide supplementary avenues for delegates to go beyond the usual one-on-one business appointments to explore and establish networks and develop potential procurement opportunities.
Other new features such as the Power Innovation Luncheon and MICE Innovation Hub are making a debut to expose delegates to emerging MICE solution players with creative answers to today’s and perhaps, tomorrow’s business challenges. This year’s participating start-ups and tech enterprises talents – 1000Meetings, 247Tickets, CrowsNest, Guiddoo World, Maycur, and Ultra Space Technology – will share insights on trending solutions illustrated with case studies during the Power Innovation Luncheons that is open to all delegates.
Yesterday’s programme also revealed another new highlight, Say Hi to Everyone, where delegates get a sense of who’s who before the commencement of the exhibition via a networking coffee break with conversational props as well as an interactive ice breaker session that introduced 2019’s attendee profile and increased familiarity between delegates.
Cited Darren Ng, Managing Director, TTG Asia Media, “Our delegates and partners have been our constant source of inspiration in wanting to make IT&CM China and CTW China a fulfilling annual event to set us in the right direction for the year ahead. This year’s newly introduced initiatives will enable delegates to leverage on IT&CM China and CTW China’s substantive line-up to further their strategic objectives within the China MICE market.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.