September 2018

New concept promises to streamline exhibiting experience 

The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has overhauled the way that exhibitors take part in the event by focusing more on positive return on investment through bringing the right buyers to the right exhibitors.

Jay Martens, AIME event director explains, “The industry is asking for change and to once again have an event that is really worth attending. We have talked to so many people and we are responding. We are reimagining AIME so that it really meets the needs of our exhibitors and our buyers.”

The new exhibitor packages include 32 pre-scheduled appointments with quality, vetted international and local buyers who want to bring their business to the Asia Pacific region. They include access to all the social and networking events and the pre-eminent knowledge program – creating more moments for shared experiences with buyers.

All this is presented in sleek new stands, developed with the award-winning design team from Decorative Events & Exhibitions (DE&E).

“The modular stands are simple and elegant, yet have the flexibility for customisation so exhibitors can represent their brands individually. Decorative Events stylists work with each exhibitor to help realise their goal, but within agreed budgets. Exhibitors know exactly what they are getting so they focus their marketing resources and energy to doing business on the show floor,” continued Martens.

The new design, which draws inspiration from curve-like compositions, promises to eliminate harsh edges by creating a natural flow and bringing a feeling of openness to the overall event format. Ultimately the new design, will give the AIME visitor, a more immersive experience.

This ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ may not be suitable for all exhibitors AIME understands that, and will continue to offer the option for those who want to design and build their own stand.

AIME is the first event to kick off the 2019 business events calendar and will be run from February 18 to 20 is a must-attend event for buyers and sellers who want to do business in the Asia Pacific region.

For more details visit, please visit aime.com.au.

MICE in Asia is a media partner of AIME 2019.

New Exhibitor Models for AIME 2019

All year round visitors flock to the famed Angkor Wat temple located at the Angkor Archaeological Park – one of the world’s top UNESCO World Heritage Sites and for some – a visit that has to be made at least once in their life time.  Just about 20 minutes away from this mighty impressive ancient temple however, is the Courtyard by Marriott offering affordable luxury hospitality to make your stay in Siem Reap enjoyable and a pleasant one.

The international brand hotel opened last year with its modern award winning Khmer architecture of 233 rooms is the first in Cambodia.  Each guestroom is stylishly designed and comfortably well appointed with balconies of views of the city.

For all day dining, the restaurant Lok Lak at the lobby has a range of local and international menu.  Head chef Chanrith Van conducts cooking classes for guests with visits to the local market for fresh produce to try your hand at cooking Cambodian recipes in the hotel.

On the roof top is the bar for cocktails and dinner with binoculars on the observation deck where you can get a glimpse of the majestic Angkor Wat on a clear day.  Recreational facilities available at the hotel include a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and the Quan Spa for some relaxation of traditional Cambodian body massage treatments.  Then there is the kids’ club, the Treehouse where you can have fun activities with your toddlers.

If you like to hold your next meeting or convention in Siem Reap, the Courtyard by Marriott has a total of 9,192 square feet of space which include a grand ballroom and seven event rooms with six break-out rooms.  Ideally for weddings, meetings, conferences, training sessions and performances with full catering services for all events.

Siem Reap in the northwest of Cambodia is a major tourism hub of the country for its known as the gateway to the ruins of Angkor.  Over the years, Siem Reap has reinvented itself as a chic resort town from art galleries, museums, shopping at small quaint boutiques, golf course, five-star hotels and food and beverage outlets to a lively cultural scene.  There is actually plenty to do in Siem Reap after visiting the temples of Angkor.

Head Chef of Courtyard by Marriott Resort, Chanrith Van Preparing Noodles for Breakfast and Visit to the Local Market

Ruins of Angkor Wat

The Chic French Quarter of Siem Reap with Quaint Boutiques and Food and Beverage Outlets

Game of Golf at Siem Reap’s Angkor Golf Resort

Streets of Siem Reap – Popular Mode of Transport on Remorque or Motorcycle

Journalists from around the world mainly from Asia, Central Asia and Russia, gathered in Korea for the 3^rd Incheon International Youth Media Conference with this year’s theme: Media and Peace. Incheon was selected to host the conference due to the city’s development as a rising economic hub in the Korean Peninsula.  The city is considered as the gateway to Korea through its free economic zone status with the country’s main international airport located here. Incheon has also the second largest sea port in Korea.

Incheon Free Economic Zone is a new growth engine for the country with future cities being developed in the districts of Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna. Among which, Songdo has emerged as a new smart city built from a reclaimed land of 600 hectares is now home to several international organisations.

The one-day conference discusses on safety issues of reporters in conflict areas with Ms. Young me Kim from South Korea spoke about her experience reporting from the Middle East; while Ms. Nou Maneth Athana from Cambodia gave her take as a journalist, on peace in the Korean Peninsula; with Ms. Aizan Kazakbaeva of the Kyrgz Republic on what the media should aim for in the change in North Korea.

Topics covered range from covering ethics and boundaries of reporters in conflict area, reality and safety issues at the conflict area, the current 155 miles military demarcation line in the Korean Peninsula and new hope with invited speakers  from the academia, journalists and professional photographer Mr. BK Choi who presented his collection of photographs taken at the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

The conference was hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization and Gyeong-in Broadcasting Co. Ltd which took place from August 29 to 31 at the Holiday Inn Incheon Songdo.

Larger representation is expected from Thailand, Philippines, Pattaya, India and Seoul, with a significant cluster of cities from Japan exhibiting and a number of independent pavilions.  This is riding on the success of last year’s anniversary show – IT&CMA continues to showcase the largest congregation of Asian MICE convention bureaus and national tourism organisations.

In addition, exhibitors have increased their space this year, namely Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (60%), Pattaya MICE City (50%), Worldwide Cruise Associates (50%), Tourism Promotion Board Philippines (33%), Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau (33%), and India Tourism (12%).  

Japan pavilion this year, will display six global MICE cities Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nagasaki, Osaka and Sapporo.  While Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) is debuting as an independent pavilion, looks to boost their MICE competitiveness with renewed focus on Asia-Pacific since formally becoming a government-funded foundation.  Keen to tap on Asia-Pacific interests, Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau will leverage on this year’s IT&CMA to reach out to incentive planners and buyers.

All in all, IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2018 expects more than 3,000 delegates in attendance, including over 800 exhibitors from some 300 exhibiting companies and 450 hosted buyers, to do business and networking over three action-packed days. Delegates can also look forward to an intensive education programme, as well as hosted social functions by partners and sponsors.

If you would like to meet these destinations and organisations at IT&CMA 2018, you can join the trade show from September 18 to 20 at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld from 18 – 20.

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