MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

Between the 5th and 7th October 2010, two remarkable MICE industry events took place in Bangkok: the 18th Trade Fair of IT CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and the 13th CTW (Corporate Travel World) Asia. The two have been interconnected since 2004: Once aganin; the events took place at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld – a multi-purpose complex including a 5-star hotel and top quality events hosting services – with the 2010 theme of Re-Defining M.I.C.E. in Asia.

The 2010 edition marked the third year of our participation in the event. It soon became clear that IT & CMA has recently experienced a period of rapid expansion. Mr. darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media and organizer of the event, noted an increase interest from exhibitors, buyers and media alike. In fact, the number of exhibitors, invited buyers, media representatives and general business opportunities has grown substantially with the overall number of international delegates soaring to 2,340. From 900 buyers interested in the “hosted buyers” position, the organizers selected 483 from 53 countries, including nations within Asia-Pacific as well as Europe, the US and Africa. Among the new markets of buyers were countries such as Egypt, Finland, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine. While last year the ratio stood at 1,4 buyers to 1 exhibitor, this year is was raised to 1,6 buyers to 1 exhibitor and astonishing 13,000 business meetings took place during the event.

Seven hundred eighty exhibitors from 304 companies based in 38 countries participated at the event, with the majority hailing from the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, macao, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and many more. The increase in the number of participants from India and Macao was particularly apparent.

Last year, the Buyers-Meet-Sellers initiative proved efficient, enabling buyers to discuss the offers of selected hotel representatives, venues and incentive companies, as well as other MICE players, and forge advantageous bubiness partnerships. Consequently, these meetings took place again this year, with the addition of a new type of session – Sellers-Meet-Buyers – where service providers were given the opportunity to meet buyers of their choice.

During the press conferences, representatives of diverse destinations presented their offers and shared news with industry colleagues and journalists. Mr. Adel El Masry, Head of the Egyptian Tourism Office in india introduced Egypt, whose tourism potential is on the rise, with 13 million foreign visitors each year (with around 70% coming from Europe). Currently, the campaign focuses on markets in the Asia-Pacific region, and India in particular, sending more than 100,000 visitors to Egypt in 2009. Taiwan, another MICE destination, attracted the large-scale event HerbaLife boasting 16,000 participants in 2009. The country offers 60 quality international hotels to suit the purposes of MICE and promotes itself through the Meet Taiwan programme. Furthermore, it is convenient that citizens of the Schengen do not need visas for visits of up to 30 days, simplifying event hosting.

A diverse programme of parties and social events traditionally accompanies the trade fair. Participants are thus able to make new contacts at the Opening Ceremony Cocktail Party, hosted by Thailand Convention Bureau (TCEB); at the parties hosted at the hotels Conrad Bangkok and Shangri-La, or during the hosted dinner, courtesy of the Seoul Tourism Organization.