REPORT – IT&CM 2007 – SHANGHAI: The “IT&CM China” (Incentive Travel and Conventions, Meetings China) has opened its gates for the first time in China for inbound and outbound convention tourism. The new…
REPORT – IT&CM 2007 – SHANGHAI: The “IT&CM China” (Incentive Travel and Conventions, Meetings China) has opened its gates for the first time in China for inbound and outbound convention tourism. The new exhibition which runs until 25th of April and highlights the inbound and outbound tourism for conventions, incentives and corporate meetings of China takes places in the new conference centre of Shanghai (INTEX). The organizers of the event are TTG Asia Media PTE and MP International who are also the organizers of the already successful IT&CM Asia.
In a press conference the managing director of TTG Asia Mr. Darren NG justified the need for the organization of IT&CM China by saying “According to WTTC’s data the average annual increase of the tourism industry in China for 2007-2016 is expected to reach 8.7% making China the second most developing country and the second travel and tourism industry worldwide for the next decade.”
It is the perfect period for the establishment of IT&CM in China compared to other destinations in Asia, Europe and USA as China is a new MICE destination in international level. More and more conferences and exhibitions facilities are being constructed in the major cities of China while international events such as the Olympic Games of 2008, the World Expo of 2010 and many more will boost the country which aims to promote itself as a MICE destination worldwide.
Shanghai is a reasonable choice for IT&CM according to Mr. Ng as the city is a cosmopolitan metropolis of 18.7 millions of people and 300.000 expatriates, with many embassies, international economical institutions and over 5,000 multinational and international companies.
IT&CM under the motto “Promoting China to the World and the World to China” wants to be the base for bringing together buyers and suppliers from China and the international market with purpose the signing of major deals as well as exchanging Know How.
Over than 200 MICE buyers from 35 countries including China will meet with 150 exhibitors from 22 countries during the two days of the exhibition. The buyers are 49% from China, 28% from Europe and 19% from Asia-Pacific (excluding China) and the rest from North America and other countries. The exhibitors are from Asia-Pacific region, Middle East, Europe and USA. For each exhibitor there are 1.3 to 1.5 buyers with last minute participations with 70% to be pre-scheduled meetings.
The known conference CT&TW China (Corporate Travel & Technology World) where the trends of corporate travel are being analyzed is taking place in parallel with IT&CM. Participations have surpass 1,700 for both of events.
IT&CM China is supported by strong organizations and associations of China such as Shanghai Municipal Tourism Association (SMTA), Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association (SCEIA), International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Shanghai Chapter of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE).
IT&CM 2008 will take place at the Shanghai Mart Conference Centre on 8-11 April. “We want to see more Chinese buyers in IT&CM 2008” said Mr. Ng.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
