Article by Rob Cotter
Since the first IT&CM China in 2007 the event has gone from strength to strength, with the line up for this year’s outing promising to make it the best one yet. The unwavering interest in China as both an outbound and inbound MICE market, as well as China’s expanding economic interests and growing presence in business markets overseas, has led to a notably strong international showing – from Berlin to Grenada via Australia and Thailand – at this year’s event, which will take place from 14-16 April.
“The Chinese market is becoming more and more important for the Berlin Incentive and Congress business,” said Heike Mahmoud CMP, Director of Conventions at Berlin Tourismus and Kongress. “Our goal is to develop and expand our network in China and to promote Berlin’s diverse offers – the modern hotel landscape, the city’s exceptional incentives and high-class restaurants. We are particularly interested in creating personal contacts with representatives of associations, corporates and agencies in China. With its good networking options, IT&CM China 2015 will be a great opportunity to intensify our cooperation with Chinese partners.”
Supporting the aims of Berlin and other European and international exhibitors at the event, General Manager of TTG Events, Ooi Peng Ee, commented that “it is through our constant efforts in buyer acquisitions to deliver quality Chinese buyers, our strong partnerships that raise the local industry support of the show, and ability to attract the largest participation of NTOs, CVBs and corporates, that we are able to provide endless opportunities for our suppliers.”
The endless opportunities available to this year’s anticipated 3,000 MICE professional delegates, from sectors such as DMCs, PCOs, corporate travel and associations, will be taking place in a brand new venue, as the event has been refreshed and will be held for the first time at the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Centre of International Sourcing (SHCEC) located in the Shanghai Changfeng Ecological Business District, adjacent to the Hongqiao business area and surrounded by the Suzhou river.
“SHCEC is a brand new venue in Shanghai,” said Stone Shi, the venue’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “It is a one-stop service platform of exhibition, convention, activities and catering for domestic and international events. Hosting the IT&CM China event will enable SHCEC to showcase our facilities and capabilities.”
On top of the new venue, the 2015 event has been further energised by three properties from the Marriott Group partnering with IT&CM China as official hotels, including the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Parkview that will host the gala evening, as well as the JW Marriott Shanghai Changfeng Park and the Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel.
“IT&CM China is one of the largest and leading international MICE trade shows in China that attracts a large contingent of national and regional convention visitor bureaus and tourism offices from China,” said Crystal Song, Director of Marketing at JW Marriott Shanghai Changfeng Park. “It is the best platform for us to meet with quality buyers and media from across China and the rest of the world.”
“IT&CM China is a very important event for the MICE industry,” added Ricky Lam, GM of Shanghai Marriott Parkview. “As a MICE-focussed hotel and being the newest Marriott Hotel in Shanghai, we are excited about partnering such an influential event. Not only will we get to be part of this hub for international MICE activity in the region, but this is also a great opportunity to showcase our property to the market.”
Further signalling the continued strength of the event as a hub for international activity, major hotel group Accor confirmed its participation at the event for a fourth successive year, a clear reflection of the ROI to be had from IT&CM China.
“The IT&CM China platform allows us to build brand exposure for our new hotels,” said Bobby Ong, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. “This is where we can secure new leads and businesses from the one-to-one appointments we have with these buyers.”
With fresh winds from around the world blowing through IT&CM China and bringing more leads and business than ever before, its surging success is set to continue through 2015 and into the years ahead.
