Anniversary Tradeshows for IT&CMA and CTW Set for Bangkok in October

More than 2000 industry professionals from around the world are expected to attend the Incentive Travel & Convention, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World – Asia Pacific (CTW) trade shows scheduled to be held in the new Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld from October 23 – 25, 2007.

Show organiser TTG Asia Media forecasts that the co-located events which celebrate 15 years and 10 years respectively in 2007 will set new benchmarks in attendance, educational presentations and hospitality.

The theme for the MICE and business travel tradeshows “Celebrating the Treasures of Asia” was selected to reflect the quality of destinations and the excellence of product available in the Asia Pacific region.

The event will begin with host country Thailand laying out the red carpet for a gala opening ceremony on October 23 at the Event Gallery at CentreWorld.  The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is planning an evening of style and splendour to show off the best of Thai hospitality.

[Pictured left: A gala opening will welcome delegates to the IT& CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific trade shows]

The information-packed IT&CMA and CTW conferences and seminars are designed to stimulate participants with sessions on a wide range of topics and developments in the Business Travel MICE industry.

This year, the keynote speaker, Joel Makower, Founder, Greenbiz.com will address delegates with a thoughtful presentation on global warming and environmental damage.

In addition, Jan Bowland, Benefits Policy Manger, Coles Group, will deliver a presentation on traveller safety and security while former English Premier League football referee, Ray Bigger will lead a workshop on leadership development.

The venue for the dual events, the CentralWorld Convention Centre is located in the heart of Bangkok’s CBD.  The facility, one of the largest in the Asia Pacific region, has more than 10,000 sq. m of meeting and convention facilities to accommodate up to 6000 delegates in a pillarless environment.

[Pictured right: An emphasis will be placed on establishing personal relationships with table top networking centres designed to facilitate buyer seller partnerships.]

This is the first time that the purpose built conference centre has concurrently held a MICE and a business travel tradeshow.

According to the organiser, the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia is widely recognised as the premier incentive and meetings show in the region.  The event is said to provide the best business platform for MICE sellers and buyers worldwide to gather and interact in one strategic location.

The Corporate Travel World – Asia Pacific, said TTG Asia Media, is a conference and exhibition on travel and entertainment management.  CTW is the place where hundreds of corporate travel managers, travel agencies and suppliers meet to discuss the impact of global and regional issues on the development of business travel into and out of the Asia Pacific area, the organiser said.

[Pictured left: Post conference tours will allow delegates to experience the treasures of Asia including Bangkok’s own Chao Phraya River and its amazing attractions.]

TTG Asia has received support from a number of industry partners in order to stage these events from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association and Thai Airways International. 

The national carrier is providing complimentary transport while key hotels are offering complimentary deluxe accommodation to fully hosted buyers and travel managers.

Registration for the hosted buyer programme can be completed online at www.itcma.com.sg

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor