e-Travelers Club travel update
A Trend Setting e-Travel Update to Benefit your Business and Ensemble Travel Agenda
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Volume 76 – 2016
REPORTING ONSITE – IT&CMA/ CTW 2016, BANGKOK
Concluded
24th INCENTIVE TRAVEL & CONVENTIONS, MEETINGS-ASIA (IT&CMA) &
19th CORP TRAVEL WORLD, (CTW) September 26-29, 2016
BREAKING NEWS
Bangkok Conventions Centre at Central World, Bangkok-30 September, 2016.
The 24th and 19th installment of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific opens today in Bangkok, Thailand with several new milestones set ahead of its 3-day program.
Ongoing results have made IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific the undisputed leader in MICE and Corporate Travel exhibition and conference in the region. The Show presented 732 Exhibitors from 244 Exhibiting Companies and Organizations.
The event participated by more than 2,800 delegates from over 50 countries, including 600 hosted buyers and media, this year.
Monaco ©Saifuddin Ismailji
EXHIBITORS
Exhibiting International and Local (Thai) MICE Destinations:
Belgium, China PR, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Monaco, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab, Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam.
New Exhibiting National Pavilion/CVBs: Chiang Mai MICE City (90sqm), Monaco Government Tourist Bureau (24sqm), Pattaya
MICE City (60sqm)
New Exhibiting Corporates: Airbnb (Singapore), ATPI (Singapore), Baltic Travel Group (Latvia), Blacklane GmBH (Singapore),
Carlson Rezidor Group (Singapore), Celebrity Cruise Lines (USA), Compass Tours incoming (Germany), Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom
(Thailand), JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Thailand), Maritim Hotels (China), Mida Hotels & Resorts (Thailand), Norwegian
Cruise Line (Singapore), Novotel Bangkok Bangna (Thailand), Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit (Thailand), Royal Caribbean
International (USA), Samui Palm Beach Resort (Thailand), Sukosol Hotels (Thailand), Swissotel Le Concorde Bangkok (Thailand),
Swissotel Resort Phuket Kamala Beach (Thailand), Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam), Worldwide Cruise Associates (USA)
BUYERS
342 Buyers (36% International and 64% Asia-Pacific) From 49 Countries/Territories: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China PR, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam
International Buyers Breakdown By Region:
Asia 61%, Europe 28%, Americas 3%, Australasia 3%, Others 5%
Largest Number of International Buyers: India (15%), China PR (10%), Philippines (7%)
Percentage of New Buyers: 69%
New Participating Countries/Territories: Czech Republic, Hungary, Iran, Kenya, Myanmar, Slovenia, Sri Lanka
EDUCATION – SEMINARS & SOCIAL CONTACTS
© Saifuddin Ismailji
The 2016 education program featured a record-breaking 50 esteemed speakers from across governments, academia, and industry professions who will impart their knowledge and expertise at over 20 sessions including the ASEAN MICE Forum, the 2-day Association Day Forum, Campfire Knowledge Sessions, and CTW Asia-Pacific Conference Sessions.
Targeted outreach and sponsorship sessions are also at an all-time high this year, with many companies like Visit Berlin, Dubai Business Events, Fukuoka Convention and Visitor Bureau, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Carey International and HRS – Global Hotel Solutions, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel stretching their investments by participating as both exhibitor and sponsor. a testament to the value of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific as an instrumental platform in bringing only the best buyers, sellers, and speakers to a single marketplace to do business, learning, and networking.
“Exhibition platforms such as IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific play an important part in our clients brand building and market activation goals. We are heartened by the trust and commitment they have placed in us, and we endeavour to keep building our capabilities, offering new value propositions, and providing opportunities for our delegates to maximize their investments, and engage with the people who matter most to them”, said Darren Ng, Managing Director, TTG Asia Media. With a robust participation from Asia-Pacific region, at the Q&A session during the official opening of the Event, “. . . yes we do need more participants from Europe” added Darren Ng.
IT&CMA continues to showcase a diverse congregation of international and regional Convention Visitor Bureaus, welcoming both new and returning representatives from Berlin, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Monaco, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and many more. A number of these destinations are featuring a bigger showing of private sectors joining their contingents, solidifying the event as the leading MICE and Corporate Travel trade event in the region.
Host and partner Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau will leverage on IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific to launch their 2017 marketing communication concept. Said Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), “The initiative – Thailand CONNECT…Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success – will confirm Thailand’s outstanding hospitality and present Thailand as a destination that can really CONNECT an event’s vibrant journey to business success.” TCEB re-emphasized Thailand a leader in MICE business particularly in the regions of emerging CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Mayanmar and Vietnam) and the GMS (Greater Mekong Sub-region).
China remains at the top of the list in Thailand’s key markets for MICE
As a host country for IT&CMA and CTW Asia –Pacific for the 15th consecutive year, Thailand is home to the world’s only Double-Bill Event of its kind. The Event serves as a strategic platform to officially launch its latest brand communications campaign to 2800 delegates from 60 countries across the globe.
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will also host the Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception to round off Day 1 at the Royal Paragon Hall with a “Siam Spice Night” theme featuring the best of what Thailand can offer as a leading MICE destination.
DAY ONE (Tuesday 27 September)
Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) MICE Forum:
1) Emerging ASEAN
Latest MICE development in emerging ASEAN destinations. Thailand recognized as the main MICE hub within the Mekong region, there is a high potential growth of MICE business in bordering countries and the need of countries in the region to working together to ensure future growth of MICE. Ease of visa to travel within intra-region is crucial for MICE growth potential.
Moderator: Julia Douglas, Managing Editor, MICE in Asia
Panelists: Hoy Phireak, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia
Sumate Sudasna, President, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association
Addie Pornthip, Managing Director - Thailand, Destination Asia.
2) Second Wave of MICE Cities
Within the more established MICE countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, a slew of MICE destinations outside the capital cities is making waves. Penang and Chiang Mai, each emphasized on why the twin-cultural destination see robust MICE growth within each region. For these smaller cities, accessibility may be a hurdle to accommodate larger conventions and thus focus on Meetings, Wedding and Incentive travel could be a wise approach to increase MICE Visitors Economy.
Moderator: Noor Ahmad Hamid, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific, ICCA
Panelists: Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO, Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau
Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, Vice Chairman, Bali Tourism Promotion Board
Pairach Piboonrungroj, Director of MICE Excellence Centre, Chiang Mai University
3) ASEAN, A Rising Star for Exhibitions
ASEAN’s current exhibitions performance and its future. Convention Bureaus & MICE, a Conduit for Economic Transformation.
ASEAN's massive population and growing disposable income make the region attractive for business developers. A slew of infrastructure improvements in the region are also supporting growth in this area. Speaker: Mark Cochrane, UFI Global Association Exhibition Industry.
Keynote Address
The Past, Present & Future of MICE
The global MICE industry has undergone tremendous transformation in the past few decades and looks set to continue this change trajectory. This high-level plenary session amalgamate three generations of industry leaders in a candid discussion on MICE throughout the ages. The much respected travel/ MICE personality: Alwin Zecha emphasized MICE growth dependent upon Competition and Communication with a presence of holistic approach. Successful training to a people’s person would see through success in an organization. According to Adeline Larroque Desages, professional training should look into Best Practice models, Case Studies to develop own brand.
MICE bureaus and associations will further assure success of MICE and leisure destination appeal.
Moderator: Robert Cotter, International Editor, Kongres Magazine
Panelists: Alwin Zecha, Chairman and Founder, Pacific Leisure Group
Gary Grimmer, CEO, GainingEdge
Adeline Larroque Desages, MICE Expert based in the Middle East
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Reception - SIAM SPICE NIGHT 27 September
Hosted by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) at Royal Paragon Hall.
DAY TWO (Wednesday 28 September)
Briefing and Presentation:
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)
Last year (2015), TCEB launched “Thailand Connect – Our Heart, Your World”. The brand communication campaign successfully captured the essence of Thailand’s unique position as a preferred global business event destination, highlighting the country’s tangible opportunity for business travelers, with all elements working in perfect synergy. Thailand Connect strongly focused on: Flight reliability; Punctuality; Connectivity and
Management and Planning.
New Campaign 2017: THAILAND CONNECT Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success
With a USD 220 billion strong Thailand MICE Industry (9.7% of total tourism receipt), the country leads the Mekong region, which has come after great efforts and successful marketing strategy by the TCEB. In 2017, according to estimate, Thailand shall be generating 1,109,000 business events with an earning of US$ 2,900 million.
The new campaign based on the three pillars of - One: Destination, two: Business and three: People; aimed to further strengthen the recognition among the international business community that Thailand is a premier MICE destination at the heart of ASEAN (S.E.Asia) and a leading MICE destination of the world with quality venue, facilities and professional services on par with international standard.
Khun Parichat Svetasreni, Director of Marketing and Corporate Image of TCEB revealed that: “The strategic direction to promote Thailand’s MICE industry is in response to the government policy of reinforcing international image in Thailand specially boosting the vibrancy of the country’s MICE industry. Business events travelers will find many destinations in Thailand with its own distinct charisma and characteristics. Each destination like Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya is embraced with its distinct allure, myriad business opportunities with government support, accommodation and infrastructure of the highest standards and experienced event professionals”.
*AIRBNB New Platinum Sponsor as Panelist/ Luncheon Host CTW Conference
Airbnb’s debut at the 2016 Corporate Travel World (CTW) Asia Pacific.
The community-driven hospitality company provided insights on the region’s corporate travel trends. Airbnb for Business tripled its growth in 2016; to date, more than 50,000 companies use Airbnb for Business to make a “home” booking. “Around 60% of business trips at Airbnb in the last year included a Saturday or Sunday night because business travelers are looking for opportunities to mix work travel with the chance want to explore a city and create unique experiences even while on the road for work.”
Airbnb’s participation at CTW Asia-Pacific comes amid an exciting time where accommodation developments are trending towards a better corporate travel experience. As a panelist on “GameChanging Accommodation Trends”.
About Airbnb
Founded in August of 2008 and based in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world – online or from a mobile phone. Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Millions. www.airbnb.com
Among other companies who participated in media briefing and presentation session:
Fukuoka Convention Center and Visitors Bureau; JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa & Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa Merlin Beach; Taiwan Convention & Exhibition Association; Worldwide Cruise Associates & Celebrity Cruise Lines; RCCL Cruise line.
Association Forum (Day 1):
1) Outsourcing Strategies for Association Meetings
Organising an association meeting can be a large undertaking and associations often enlist professional help to varying degrees. Participants share outsourcing experience and learn from peers in this open discussion.
Moderator: Richard Holmes, International Director of Meetings, International Bureau for Epilepsy
Panelists: Nicolette Hughes, Director, Product Strategy and Innovation, Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia Limited
Professor Supakorn Rojananin, President of Local Organizing Committee, World Congress of Surgery Kitty Wong, President, World PCO Alliance I/O K&A International
Marcel Ewals, Director of Strategic Development, MCI.
2) Wooing Association Meetings: A Destination Perspective
Why association meetings are such an attractive proposition for destinations and what are destinations doing to woo them? An engaging discussion with destination representatives around the region.
Moderator: Noor Ahmad Hamid, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific, ICCA
Panelists: Wim Desloovere, Manager, Association Bureau, Visit Brussels
Gary Khan, CEO, Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau
Association Day - Destination Presentations By:
Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand Convention & Exhibition Association
Campfire Knowledge Sessions 1, 2 & 3
Storytelling: A Sales Pro's Most Powerful Sales Tool
Presented by Hugo Slimbrouck (Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ovation Global)
Sales professionals’ participants learn to craft and use compelling stories to sell incentive travel solutions to clients. Participants also learn to develop an audience profile to help tailor the story to the client, as well as components that comprise a compelling story to aid in development of the story. A firsthand education for participants with the know how to consider positioning the story in a sales presentation and consider other sales opportunities where storytelling might be beneficial.
Hosted Dinner by Tourism Promotion Board Philippines
DAY THREE (Thursday 29 September)
Association Day 2 Forum
3) Event Apps - The Foundation for Attendee Engagement
Mobile technology is changing how event organizers excite and engage their audience. The same technology holds great potential for those organizing association congresses as well. In this session, participants learnt how mobile apps can facilitate the delivery of information to participants and discover Event2Mobile (e2m) — a leading secure mobile app platform for enterprise events and conferences used by both Fortune 500 companies and the largest associations. Presenter: Siddharth Jhunjhunwala, CEO, Event2Mobile
4) Establishing Components for Growth
Having a component model for associations who wish to venture regionally and globally presents obvious benefits, although this comes with a set of cultural, communication, process, political and legal challenges. Forming partnerships with established national associations or establishing a new national association can be a powerful distribution tool for associations to deliver their mission on a regional/global scale both efficiently and effectively. This session discussed the key considerations to forging a win-win relationship based on the CFA Institute case study. CFA Institute is an ever-growing association organization with 147 components in 73 countries.
Presenter: William Boivin, Manager, Society Relations, Asia-Pacific, CFA Institute