June 2022

The hybrid event introduces new initiatives such as hybrid business meets, three-dimensional virtual exhibition and scheduled meetings with broadcasts streaming and remote participation. There will be three days of in-person event which will begin from September 20 to 22 with nine days of virtual networking from September 20 to 28.

“This year’s show aims to deliver a brand new format like never before, differentiating IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2022 hybrid from any other experience as our industry continues to evolve to stay versatile. After two years of meeting virtually, our hybrid concept introduces new and improved initiatives,” said Ms. Lynette Tay, event manager of TTG Events.

Face-to-face meets will once again be back this year for opportunities to engage in business with added knowledge and networking access exclusively available during the virtual networking event.

The show has been organised by Turkish Airlines since 2014 as part of its global communication campaign to showcase the MICE industry in Turkey and the Bosphourus Region.

This year marked the 9th event held by the airline in Istanbul with the theme ‘A Sustainable Future’.

Some 7,840 visitors from 20 countries attended the show between May 25 to 27 with 201 exhibiting companies featuring convention and exhibition bureaus, hotels, convention centres, event management companues, destination management companies, professional conference organisers, software companies, event production and audio and lighting display companies.

After three days of intense business meetings, the show ended with an unforgettable entertainment night of an ‘AMEzing Party’ at the CVK Park Bosphorus.  Guest enjoyed a relaxed evening atmosphere with magnificent light display and dance performance.

The International Congress and Convention Association has released its annual analysis of association meetings worldwide. The latest ICCA Ranking Report examines 8,000 meetings scheduled for the year 2021, and categorises them, based on how meetings, were impacted by the covid-19 pandemic. The report, compares last year’s affected meetings with ICCA’s analysis of meetings in 2020.

Also revealed  in the 2021 report, was the mentality that the “show must go on” in the industry with the market share of virtual and hybrid meetings, doubled in just one year. While business continuation increased by 30 percent and, business cancellation dropped from 61 percent to 31 percent.

The Middle East had the highest business continuation rate of all regions at 77 percent. This was followed by Latin America, at 72 percent and Asia 71 percent. While Latin America demonstrated, the most significant growth, in business continuation compared to 2020 which saw, an increase of 35 percent.

After a hiatus in 2020, ICCA’s Destination Performance Index has also returned. The DPI ranks destinations’ success in winning original bids, covid-19 event policies and adaptability as well as, technological capabilities to convert on-site events into virtual or hybrid events maintaining business continuation.

“Now that the global meetings industry has had more time to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, we wanted to acknowledge and reward the effort of destinations to not only keep these crucial meetings going but also, to improve their business operations. The investments that destinations have made in new technologies, partnerships, and advocacy initiatives will, continue to drive our industry forward,” said ICCA’s chief executive officer, Mr. Senthil Gopinath.

He added: “Although we have yet to return to pre-pandemic numbers, we have gained significant ground on the road to full recovery. Further, we have transformed the meetings industry in the process.”

He stated the report delivers a more holistic representation of the pandemic’s impact on association meetings globally. It shows strong and definitive signs of progressive recovery for the industry.

The full 2021 ICCA Ranking Destination Performance Index is available to ICCA members.