The inaugural Say Hi to Everyone interactive ice-breaker on the first day was well-attended by close to 300 delegates across exhibitors, buyers and media. Hosts Mike Williams, Senior Consultant and Partner of Gaining Edge and Olivia Jia, Senior Manager of IME Consulting, kept energy levels high as participants eagerly exchanged introductions and openly shared their objectives for attending this year’s event. The session undoubtedly set the tone for business activity during exhibition days.
Commended Natalia Agrel, Head of International Marketing from GL events “The ice-breaking session was a great opportunity for us to meet and establish the first contact with buyers in a more informal atmosphere. We had the chance to meet a couple of buyers and other important players in our sector which we can use to reference and benchmark against in the China market.”
Sophia Wang, Marketing Manager, Philippine Department of Tourism, a returning exhibitor complimented this year’s new initiative, Exhibition Walkabout, “This show offered us an opportunity to meet with potential event organisers who are interested in having their events in Philippines. We are glad to be given this platform to share what Philippines can provide to Trade Associations.”
Shared John Chan, Officer of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, “The Brand Showcase Presentation was a great avenue for us to show off our destination and what we can offer to the MICE and corporate travel buyers. We are very impressed with this new initiative provided by the organisers.”
Among this year’s new delegation are local startups and tech enterprises which helmed the show’s first-ever Power Innovation Luncheon and MICE Innovation Hub. Shared 247Tickets, “Innovation has to do a lot with the scope and how people network these days. Having technology at our fingertips and sharing ideas and solutions is important in bringing everyone together under one roof.” The company shared the spotlight with CrowsNest, Guiddoo World, Maycur, UlltraSpace Technology Co. Ltd, and 1000Meetings.
Cai Liang, General Manager of UMICE Guangzhou, a returning MICE buyer, is pleased to attend this edition of IT&CM China, “I am happy to see more quality exhibitors in this IT&CM China edition such as Australia, Qingdao and Hainan. Exhibitors are very well-prepared to promote their products with detailed information provided especially Hong Kong.”
With the refreshing appeal of this year’s new highlights and continued success of established sessions such as the business appointments, Association Day forums, CTW China conference, and hosted functions, buyer and delegate experience across board was at an all-time high.
Arlene Orencia, Head of Projects and Programmes of ADFIAP, association buyer, said “Personalised agendas and show information was easily accessible and efficient through the inaugural debut of the app. Adding on, the complimentary Shanghai Food Tour was a fresh experience. I enjoyed it a lot. The event was very well-organised and I would like to comment on the organisers for being prompt in responding to my requests.”
“I am very impressed with the various conferences made available to us as well as the trends covered by the conference speakers. From there, I am able to gain new ideas in corporate travel and at the same time, understand the current market situation. These sessions are very helpful“, commented corporate travel buyer Wang Wei from the General Administration Department of China International Capital Corporation Limited.
Mentioned by Maciej Olbert, Travel Manager of Luxoft, “I’m so glad that I had a chance to participate in CTW China. The topics covered during the panel sessions helped me to understand the Chinese market and its challenges. I’m also pretty sure that new contracts with suppliers will be signed after the show, as a result of direct contact at this conference.”
