9 February 2009 – IT&CM (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings) China returns to Shanghai in April for the third year with a bigger Chinese contingent. Show organisers - TTG Asia Media and MP International, have confirmed the participation of four of China’s tourism hotspots in the all-encompassing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tradeshow.

Themed as “Promoting China to the World and the World to China”, IT&CM China 2009 will be held from 15 to 17 April 2009 at the ShanghaiMart Expo. More than 2,000 leading industry professionals from China and the rest of the world will attend the event and experience the winning elements of China as “The Next MICE Powerhouse”.

This year, the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration of the host city has commissioned Shanghai Tourism Trade Association to organise a sizeable pavilion which includes over twelve Shanghai based hotels and travel agents. Chinese cities namely Guilin, Hangzhou, Sanya and Dalian will also participate at IT&CM China for the first time. These state tourism organisations will rope in established hotels and resorts, travel management companies and other service providers to their state pavilions.

The Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau is making a concerted effort to drive more visitors to the province with a big showcase of their best offerings to IT&CM China buyers. The Hangzhou Tourism Commission, which has offered post-show incentive tours to the scenic city in previous IT&CM China shows, has further pledged their support by organising a pavilion this year.

The Sanya pavilion will be spearheaded by the Sanya Tourism Industry Development Bureau. The southern-most city located on the tropical island of Hainan and one of newest leisure resort destinations in the world, Sanya has been experiencing a rising demand for MICE travel and is an excellent MICE destination for both domestic and international markets.

Recognised as one of the ‘Best Tourism Cities’ in 2006 by China National Tourism Administration, Dalian is another up and coming MICE destination in China. The Dalian pavilion includes Dalian Furama, Dalian Shangri-la and Dalian Bayshore Hotel groups. The Dalian Municipal Bureau of Tourism will also provide a post-show incentive tour to the city to IT&CM China delegates at discounted rates.

Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “IT&CM China has grown since its inaugural show in 2007. With the overwhelming support from local industry players this year, especially the confirmation of the state pavilions, our show proves as the platform to showcase China’s MICE products, services and destinations to the world. Both international and local buyers will have a fruitful time exploring the various exciting options China has to offer as an interesting MICE destination.

In addition, the number of quality Chinese MICE buyers is set to increase this year with the confirmed participation of HUBS1, a leading web-based travel distribution marketplace in China and the official hotel reservation service provider and sponsor of the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. With directive from the Shanghai World Expo 2010 organising committee, HUBS1 will be sourcing for hotels and resorts at IT&CM China 2009 for some 70,000,000 visitors who will require accommodation during the show.

The show organisers will validate and select up to 300 key Chinese and international MICE buyers to attend the event, of which 50 per cent is made up of local buyers from all parts of China while the remaining buyers hail from over 32 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

Participation from the international front remains strong with key MICE suppliers showing ardent support for IT&CM China. Exhibitors making their debut in 2009 are Marco Polo Hotels, Tourism Montreal and Japan National Tourism Organization. Returning corporate exhibitors include Carlson Hotels Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Kempinski S.A., Langham Hotels International, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Nikko Hotels International, Fairmont, Raffles, Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, Taipei World Trade Center and Worldhotels AG.

The national/state tourism organisations participating for the second consecutive year are the Egyptian Embassy in China, Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Singapore Tourism Board and Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau. With greater confidence in the 2009 show, Korea Tourism Organization and Hong Kong Tourism Board have returned and signed up for bigger exhibiting space.

Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, commented, “Given the current economic downturn, we are heartened by the continued support from our exhibitors. As budget strings become tighter, participation at such tradeshows comes under great scrutiny due to measurable return on investments. Based on the success of previous shows, IT&CM China has proven itself as an effective vehicle for generating new business leads and a platform for educational and networking opportunities.”