Close to 700 sqm of this year’s IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific nett exhibition floor space has already been snapped up to date. Bolstered primarily by the show’s best-ever early bird booth sign ups within 3 months after the 2013 event, some 8 CVB/NTO-led destinations have already confirmed their presence there. The list includes first-time exhibitor Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, and returning participants Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO), Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Sabah Tourism Board, Taiwan Convention & Exhibition Association (TCEA), Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Tourism New Zealand (TNZ).

KTO’s Seo Bong Sik, Director of Incentive & Exhibition attributes their return to the success they experienced at last year’s event, he remarks, “IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2013 was extremely fruitful. We achieved over 220 leads through our business meetings at the event. I believe part of our accomplishments was due to the effectiveness of the organiser’s Pre-Scheduled Appointments (PSA) and Online Diary facilities that allowed us to schedule up to 100% of meetings ahead of the event, as well as the on-site Buyers-Meet-Sellers (BMS) system.” Wanting to capitalise on Korea’s current popularity as a MICE destination, Seo adds, “We attracted 240% more MICE tourists compared to the year before. Being at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific this year is important for us to leverage on this momentum.”

Quality leads gained at the IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2013 that resulted in conversion into real business was the motivating factor for TNZ. Said Mischa Mannix-Opie, Regional Manager, South & South East Asia, “With the excellent results reaped last year, we were able to generate quality business leads and ultimately convert these for New Zealand. Continuing our participation at the show also enables us to expand our relationships with the important corporate and leisure travel trade community in the Asian region.”

For Taiwan, the satisfaction of co-exhibitors was a major driving force for their renewed participation at the show. Jason Yeh, Chairman of TCEA remarked, “Our 2013 co-exhibitors responded positively as they met with quality potential buyers who would be placing orders within a year. Also, winning delegates’ vote at the event with the Stickiest Marketing & Promotion Award for the most memorable marketing campaign last year enhanced Taiwan’s international exposure, especially among the media delegates. These reassuring results encouraged us to return to IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2014.”

Host country Thailand led by TCEB will continue their presence at the 2014 event, with the largest destination pavilion, “IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific is one of the most significant MICE and Corporate Travel trade events for Thailand. Our industry has garnered international interest because of the show and the event will remain as a key platform for Thailand to reach its target of 987,000 MICE visitors this year. Last year, we received double the number of leads at the event as compared to 2012, indicating that Thailand as a MICE destination will continue to see growth. Showcasing Bangkok and Thailand’s MICE cities also present an invaluable opportunity for us to create lasting first-hand experiences for the delegates, and invite them to keep coming back to Thailand – Your Global Events Connection.” said Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President of TCEB.

The success of the 2013 show also resonated with leading corporate exhibitors who are cementing their presence at the event this year. They include Marco Polo Hotels, Minor Hotel Group, Park Hotel Group, Royal Cliff Hotels Group, Sampran Riverside and Swiss Hotels & Resorts.

Pauline Cheung, Group Sales Director of Park Hotel Group, highlighted the importance of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific for her chain, “This event has been one of our Group’s important events in a year to update existing networks on our offerings, showcase our new products as well as to keep up our business relationships with the trade contacts.”

According to Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, this stellar early-bird performance has set a new record for the event, and believes that the show’s emphasis on quality has paid off. “The 2013 show was our best IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific to date. We delivered on a high buyer-to-exhibitor ratio, fresh procurement opportunities with new buyers and dynamic and relevant buyer profiles. These early registrations undoubtedly evidence the value of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific for our exhibitors.”

Exhibitors who are interested to register for IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2014 can fill in the registration form here: http://eventscrm.ttgasia.com/ttg2014/itcma/seller/itcmaseller_register.asp

For more information, log on to www.corporatetravelworld.com | www.itcma.com