MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE

The Bangkok MICE trade fair, which counts amoung the most important in Asia, each year attracts buyers and exhibitors not only from Asia, but also from other destinations around the world. The precise numbers from this year’s event – the 17th IT&CMA trade fair, which took place between the 6th and 8th of October 2009, are not yet known – however, the overall number of MICE delegates was around 2,000. Once again, the trade fair took place at the Bangkok Convention Centre at central World, a fairly new multipurpose complex in the heart of the city that incorporates a quality five star hotel, shopping centres and congress halls. Apart from IT&CMA, other events were taking place simultaneously: CTW Asia – Pacific (Corporate Travel World) and the Asia for Asia Summit.

IT&CMA, the 17th installement of this event, presented a wide array of well-established destinations as well as attracted new exhibitors. Most of the exhibitors were from Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Macau, Singapore or Japan. The expansion of the trade fair was evident with exhibitors from taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Australia, and India as well as Europe and the USA. Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Vietnam are relatively new MICE destinations that are aiming for more MICE events as a way to boost their respective economies.

MICE buyers mostly stemmed from countries such as Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, the CEE region, India, Korea and Mexico. For the first time, this year was a greater focus on buyers from Europe. New buyers arrived from countries like Tunisia, Romania or Quatar.

TTG Asia, the organizers of this event, are persistently trying to improve the professional and educational aspect of the trade fair, too. Participants can thus visit a number of inspiring lectures and research presentations from the field of MICE. This year, statistics and research presentations concerning the MICE industry from the Asia Pacific region were added. Among the most interesting was the 2010 Asia Pacific Business Travel Overview, a research project conducted by TTG Asia together with NBTA. This lecture was led by Business Travel Analyst Jorge Caamano. The AsiaAbility sessions, including the participants’ mutual drumming, a display of their talents and leadership capabilities, were a great inspiration for meetings and teambuilding programmes, as well as reinforcement of positive business results.

Thailand Convention Bureau (TCEB), Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association and other entities are among the partners and coorganizers of this trade fair. The event provided an abundance of socializing and networking opportunities, including the Welcome Receprion by Thailand, the dinner hosted by the Seoul Tourism Organisation, and the TTG Travel Awards ceremony, which took place at the World Balroom, a stunning venue, situated at Central World. Judging by the number of prizes awarded, it seemed as if everyone in the room received one.

Our company, MICE CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE magazines, is a Media Partner of the trade fair. We presented and distributed the latest issues of our magazines oriented at promoting CEE countries. Indian buyers appeared to have shown the greatest interest in CEE destinations. Many Asians surprised us with their knowledge of Czech Republic in particular: be it the Czech spas, football stars or Miss World Tatana Kucharova.