IT&CM Evolves with China

Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings (IT&CM) China will continue to remain at the forefront of Asia’s most buoyant meetings industry when it holds its seventh annual event from April 17 to 19, 2013 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, one of the show organisers, said this year’s event is expected to attract 400 hosted buyers – a 14 percent increase from the 350 who participated in 2012 – and around 2,500 delegates. Several exhibitors have also raised their participation this year by investing in larger stands.

“The meetings and incentives industry in China is constantly growing. In 2011, the significance of IT&CM China’s role in the development of this industry was realised with the launch of the Shanghai Business Events Week, which hosted dedicated business events that helped push the industry’s goals and objectives,” he said.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) Country and City Rankings Report, China tops the list of countries in Asia Pacific & Middle East with the highest number of international association meetings hosted at 302 in 2011. ICCA’s decision to hold its 52nd Congress in Shanghai from November 2 to 6, 2013 is also a testament to China’s growing importance in the global meetings industry.

Mark Cochrane, UFI Regional Manager for Asia-Pacific, told meetme that the Chinese exhibitions market has been the most bullish in the region, accounting for the bulk or 55 percent of the entire industry across Asia.

The 7th IT&CM China will bring together Chinese and international companies in the meetings industry that are keen to explore business opportunities in different segments including inbound, outbound and domestic travel. The event is jointly organised by CITS International MICE and MP International.

As per last year, IT&CM China 2013 will offer delegates abundant opportunities to advance business in both formal and informal settings, while promoting healthy dialogues through a series of seminars and certificate courses, Ng said.

CASTING THE NET
China’s outbound travel market is arguably the fastest-growing worldwide, expanding five-fold since 2000, according to a report by hospitality consultancy firm HVS. Quoting statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, HVS noted that outbound travel jumped at a compounded annual rate of 18.5 percent between 2000 and 2010, from around 10.5 million to 57.4 million.

TTG Asia Media’s Ng said China’s bullish travel market is also benefiting the meetings and events industry in neighbouring countries such as Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian) nations.

“Mature markets like the US and Europe have also been popular MICE destinations for China. We believe the Middle East can likewise benefit from the dynamic activities happening in various segments of the Chinese meetings outbound sector,” said Ng.

He added that the potential is huge and the amount of business from the Chinese meetings and incentives industry that the Middle East can obtain will be dependent on how aggressive regional convention and visitor bureaus are in tapping this segment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Networking opportunities to give delegates a chance to maximise their attendance.
• Nine complimentary seminar sessions featuring meetings-relevant topics as presented by industry experts.
• An exhibition that presents a diverse showcase of international and Chinese brands sought after by buyers from around the world.
• Pre- and post-show tours to give delegates a firsthand experience of China’s popular attractions.
• Buyers and exhibitors are guaranteed 32 appointments through the organisers’ match-making programme, allowing a higher chance of closing deals.