2011

This year, ITE & MICE had a record number of 10 new official participations and pavilions from Bhutan, Brazil, Cuba, Hungary, Mexico, Moscow, Nepal, Seychelles, South Africa and Tunisia. In all, there were a total of 56 exhibiting countries and regions which also saw an increase of 21.7 % over last year.

Over 60 percent of the exhibiting countries and regions were from the Americas and Oceania, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. While over 80 percent of exhibitors were from outside Hong Kong

The travel expo this year had: 3.7 percent or 648 international exhibitors; 3 percent or 11820 visitors in the trade days; and 0.6 percent or 69320 visitors in the public days. All are new record numbers for ITE & MICE despite countries continuing to tighten their budgets, unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, high oil prices, earthquake and tsunami in Japan. While regional visitors especially from southern China have accounted for around 25 percent of all visitors in trade days of the travel expo with some 80 percent of the public visitors prefer travelling in FIT. According to the organisers, TKS Exhibition Services Ltd these percentages are expected to remain more or less the same as before, and will be adjusted accordingly when detail breakdown of visitors this year becomes available.

Themes highlighted in ITE & MICE this year included, Wellness & Medical Tourism (WMT) and cruise travel. The cruise pavilion this year attracted exhibitors who were focused on Polar cruises.

This year also, ITE & MICE hosted three prize presentation ceremonies, which includes and award on Cantonese Favourite Destinations (Routes) by Southern Metropolis Daily, a leading newspaper in Guangdong, My Favorite Hong Kong Tour Guide Award by Hong Kong Professional Tourist Guides General Union and New Travel Routes Award by U Magazine.

The next ITE & MICE which is the 26th edition of ITE and the 7th edition of ITE MICE is scheduled to be held from June 14-17, 2012 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

MICE in Asia is a media partner of ITE & ITE MICE 2011.  For more information of the upcoming travel expo, log onto: www.itehk.com and  www.itehkmice.com

The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) has produced a directory of relevant MICE support services and on convention and exhibition facilities available in the country. Generally, it will be a useful reference guide for people in the MICE industry . Also in the directory is information of international congresses coming to Malaysia where it can be used as a reference to source suppliers for any kind of events.

Currently MACEOS which has been in existence since 1990 has more than 60 industry members. They are mainly exhibition and conference organisers, contractors, suppliers, freight forwarders, tour operators and venue providers.

Apart from the publication of this directory, MACEOS has organised familiarisation trip to other cities in the country to help build the industry outside Kuala Lumpur, provide skills training to raise the standard of the industry within the country, and host awards night to recognise the work and initiative of its members. For more information on MACEOS, you can go to www.maceos.com.my

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur has introduced a programme where visitors and tourists are invited to help green the city’s environment. This is by planting a tree of specie found in Malaysia.

Any visitor to the city can sign up for the programme. He or she will be given a young tree to plant. It will be at a designated area within the city’s Taman Tasik Titiwangsa park. Each tree will bear the name of the planter, and a visual record of the tree’s growth, will be kept on the programme’s website that is www.igreenedkl.com.my.

Participants of the programme can log-on from anywhere in the world, to view the development of their tree. The progress of the tree’s growth will be updated periodically on the website. This is to enourage the planters to return to Kuala Lumpur, and make regular visits to check on the growth of their tree – hopefully invite family and friends to come to Kuala Lumpur to view the tree and the park.

Julia Douglas digging in.

Taman Tasik Titiwangsa Park with the Petronas Twin Towers as the back drop.

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur with tree planters from United States.

Local school band playing the bag pipes and drumming support.

Tree planters from United Kingdom, United States, France, Spain, South America, India, Japan and Africa with their certificates of the specie of tree planted. Each planter is also required to give a name to their tree.

One of the leading professional MICE business and networking events, the IT&CM held in Shanghai from April 13 to 15 saw a 10% growth from the previous year. This year, it featured 691 exhibitors from 253 exhibiting organisations, 344 buyers, 83 media and over 1,000 trade visitors.

Along with the growth of IT&CM China, the event also achieved several new milestones in its efforts to develop the Chinese MICE industry. Appropriately themed “Leading China’s Next MICE Wave”, IT&CM China 2011 was also part of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA)’s inaugural Shanghai Business Events Week collaborating with several leading players to take the China MICE industry to new heights.

According to Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media, the co-organiser of event, “This partnership enhances the IT&CM China 2011 programme, offering delegates more exciting opportunities in business, education and networking.”

On the exhibition front, the event there were new Chinese and International exhibitors representing hotels and hospitality groups, cruises, destination bureaus. For the first time included in the IT&CM China 2011 exhibition, was a pavilion dedicated to unique convention venues and travel wellness from China. This year too making their debut were MICE venues and destination management services from the Middle East.

While the 2011 Buyers profiled new representatives from countries such as Argentina, Cambodia, Cyprus, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. This coupled with 50% new buyer attendance, ensured the demand for MICE destinations, products and services at IT&CM China remain fresh. Also present this year were media members from France, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain and Vietnam.

A unique highlight of the IT&CM China business event was the equal mix of International and Chinese delegates. It achieved the show’s focus of ‘Promoting China to the World and the World to China’. Together with a compelling 3-day programme that comprised scheduled business appointments, MICE exhibition, seminar sessions, networking luncheons and coffee breaks, IT&CM China 2011 has managed to nurture business opportunities between China and the rest of the world, as well as fostering domestic MICE growth within China.

Racing enthusiasts coming to Kuala Lumpur for the Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix in April, will not only get to see the world’s hottest race, but also experience the city’s hottest event the KL Grand Prix City.

The 8th edition of KL Grand Prix City will feature concerts, race-theme events, Formula One racing exhibitions, street racing show car run, exclusive parties, fashion extravaganzas, dining and great shopping experience leading up to race day on the April 10.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Twin Towers @live 2011 – an open air music concert to be held at the iconic Twin Towers of Kuala Lumpur for two nights on April 8 and 9 from 6pm to 1am – absolutely free for all. Special areas are available for Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix grandstand ticket holders.

• April 8 live with The Fray – an American Rock Band nominated a Grammy Award for best ‘Pop Vocal Album’ in 2010. At the same time, a performance by the band Hoobastank, who is best known for their hits ‘The Reason’ and ‘Crawling in the Dark’.

• On April 9 the line-up will include Colby O’ Donis, a Grammy nominated pop and R&B singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer and actor. The Earth, Wind and Fire Experience will wrap the Twin Towers @live 2011 and their last song will be synchronised with a spectacular fireworks display.

• Malaysian popular artists including Yuna, The Azenders, Bunkface, Mizz Nina and Joe Flizzow will showcase their acts at this free concert as well.

• Also performing in Kuala Lumpur on April 10 at Putra World Trade Centre is Bruno Mars – the recent winner of the Grammy Award for ‘Best Male Pop Performance’.

• STYLO Fashion Grand Prix with the theme ‘Fashion Theatre’, will run from April 2 to 10 featuring fashion shows, fashion awards, fashion ball and fashion grand prix themed parties. More fashion shows will be staged at the Pavilion shopping centre including the Spring Summer MaxMara Red Carpet Fashion Showcase on April 3. The fashion shows by STYLO will feature finalists of Malaysia’s Ford Model Search Supermodel of the World.

• Variety of stylish shoes will be on display including Rihanna’s Stuart Weitzman Swarovski Boot Display from April 1 to 30 at the Pavilion KL, in celebration of the International Shoe Festival. Adorned with over 22,000 Swarovski clear crystal stones, this boot is Stuart Weitzman’s unique take on fashion footwear hot trend, the thigh-high boot. Each stone was set by hand, which took over 200 hours of labour. The first pair created was displayed in the Stuart Weitzman Awards Suite and worn by music superstar and fashion icon Rihanna at the 2010 Academy Awards.

• Malaysian Grand Prix Sale happening now till end of April – a month long of shopping where you can enjoy great savings up to 70% discount on almost everything all over Kuala Lumpur.

• Spend & Win contests at selected malls offer exciting prizes, Formula One tickets, invitation to the red carpet fashion shows and even business class tickets to Italy to the winners. Check out the latest mall at Bukit Bintang – “Fahrenheit 88” a new leading retail destination for mid-range fashion, food and lifestyle.

• Red Bull Speed Street KL on April 3 at 3pm along Jalan Bukit Bintang shopping strip will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the energy of the Formula One in the heart of the city. Catch the special appearance by Team Lotus drivers, Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli.

• On display from April 4 to 10 at Fahrenheit 88 are racing cars of the Merdeces GP Petronas.

• Korean superstar Rain would take the centre stage with his own dancing team. You can expect a sensational show by the pop star. Rain’s concert is free for those holding grandstand tickets, and spectators with hill stand ticket just need to top up another RM138 (US $ 55).

Visit Kuala Lumpur’s hottest season and you can look forward to a world class sporting event that offers spectacular Formula One race action, and great weekend festival at the 8th edition of KL Grand Prix City 2011. Tickets for the 13th Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix 2011 starts at just US $25.

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has introduced for the first time, the Mayor’s Tourism Awards.  This is to recognise those in the tourism industry who have contributed in making Kuala Lumpur city as an attractive international tourism destination.  There are a total of nine categories of awards to be presented in this inaugural edition, they are for:

1.  Accomodation  2. Restaurant  3. Tourist Attraction  4.  Nightspot  5.  Shopping Mall  6.  International Tour Operator  7.  International Airline  8.  Print Media (Magazine) and 9.  Excellent Front Liner

Nominations are open to all tourism industry players who fall within the above categories.  The nominee’s office centre of operations must be located in Kuala Lumpur city, and come under the jurisdiction of Kuala Lumpur City Hall.  This however, does not apply to the international tour operators and international airlines.

There are three methods of nominations: self nomination, by invitation and third party nomination.  Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.klmayortourismawards.com . Nominations are open from March 11, 2011.

The eligible entries in each category will be judged through points awarded by the panel of judges. The judges’ point will count for 95% of the total marks, while public voting for the remaining 5%. On-line public voting is from May 2 through May 23, 2011.

Judging are conducted by an independent panel of judges for each of the categories.  Members of the judging panels are made up of experts in a particular field and senior industry players.  Stringent judging criteria have been set by the panel of judges for each award, and the process will take over a month to complete.

The judges with Noraza Yusof (second from right), Head of Secretariat of Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards.

The panel of judges of the different catogeries of awards with the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur (seventh from left).

Guests at the press conference and launching of the first edition of the Mayor’s Tourism Awards held at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

After the results are tabulated and audited, the nominess will be informed, and invited to attend the Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards gala dinner which is scheduled to be held on June 21.

For more information, you can contact Noraza Yusof, Head of Secretariat of Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards at 603-2617 6273 or email her at: secretariat@klmayortourismawards.com

Industry players from India in the travel, hospitality, leisure and tourism related industries gathered under one roof at the Gujarat University Exhibition Hall in Ahmedabad for two-days (February 9 to 10) to showcase their products. Among the many exhibitors were Gujarat Tourism, Rajasthan Tourism, Madhya Pradesh State Tourism, Cox & Kings, Gir Jungle Lodge, Kensville Golf Resort, Anytime Hotels including several destination management companies, airlines and heritage hotels. The event was organised by Sphere Travelmedia & Exhibitions.

Exhibitors at the GTM 2011 held in the Gujarat University Exhibition Hall and buyers conducting business-to-business meeting.

Lighting the lamp to launch the Gujarat Travel Mart 2011 are Sanjay Hakhu of Sphere TravelMedia & Exhibitions (left) with Anup Shukhla (centre), Managing Director, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and Vipul Mitra (IAS), Secretary Tourism, Pilgrimage Development and Devasthan Management.

Hosted buyers and media from around the world, after the travel mart were invited to a familiarisation tour of Gujarat by the state’s tourism board. For four days and three nights, destinations visited were Sayla, Junagadh, Gondal, Porbandar and Bhavnaghar.

Exploring Gujarat tourism destinations:

Sayla

A district located about 136 kilometres from Ahmedabad. It was founded in 1751, a once princely state ruled by the Jhala Rajputs. Here you can find a quaint and interesting guest house, a good stop to stay for a couple of nights.

The Bell Guest house was formerly a British residency, and the historic building, has been restored, renovated and converted into a heritage hotel. It offers double bedrooms which are air-conditioned, with attached bathrooms. Recreational facilities include a cricket pitch for net practice, sports and a giant chessboard. Trips to nearby villages can be organised for guests to visit temples and handicraft centres.

A quaint guest house tucked in a village at the district of Sayla. The Bell Guest House is run by a royal couple. Yuvrani Preeti Kumari graciously hosted lunch for the buyers and media of the GTM 2011.

Seen far right is Yuvrani Preeti Kumari with her young daughter and Julia Douglas, Managing Editor of MICE in Asia.

A giant chess board in the garden of Bell Guest House.

Junagadh

The city lies at the foot of Girnar Hills, and takes its name from the old fort, which used to circle the medieval town. Uparkot Fort was built during the Nawabi period, and said to have been constructed in 319 B.C. Over the centuries, the fort was rebuilt by several Kings. In the past, the fort is famous for its inaccessibility with well defined battle stations.

At the same time, the Girnar Hills go way back to Emperor Ashoka. Just outside the city, you can visit a place and see ancient rocks on which the fourteen edicts of the Emperor are carved onto.
Another historical site is the Mahabat Makbara. Built in 1878 by Mahabat Khanji and completed in 1892 by his successor, Bahadur Khanji. It houses the tombs of Mabahat Khan, Bha-ud-din and the Minister of Nawab, Rasul Khanji.

Mahabat Markam – a historical mausoleum.

Uparkot Fort with its underground battle stations.

Gir National Park

It is home to the last remaining asiatic lions, and has one of the largest leopard polulation, is an excellent park to see big cats. A sanctuary for wildlife and other creatures which you can look out for are: the four horned antelopes, Indian gazelle, spotted dear, blue bull, wild boar, wolves, hyenas, jackals, civet and jungle cats. In the middle of the Park is the Kamlseshwar dam and here you can find marsh crocodiles. The Gir National Park is one of the best parks in India and is located in Junagadh bordering with Saurashtra region. There are also a restaurant, hotel, camp and a lodge within the area.

Just before heading for the Park, is the Lion Safari Camp, a luxury wildlife camp which is owned and managed by Camps of India. It’s on a private mango orchard and overlooking the Hiran River. This eco-friendly camp has 21 air-conditioned tens with well furnished bedrooms and an attached en-suite bathrooms. The tent rooms open out to an extended deck with chairs to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Above at the Gir National Park, a sanctuary of big cats and other wild lives, is also home to the endangered asiatic lions.

At the Lion Safari Camp, luxury wildlife camp run by the Camps of India.

Gondal

At Gondal which is an area of 1,000 square miles, comprising of four towns and 175 villages, one can take respite at the Orchard Palace, which has been converted into a seven-room heritage hotel. Decorated with 1930s and 1940s art deco furniture, antiques and handicrafts, the property gets its name from the lime, chikoo and mango groves. The Palace was built as an annex of the Huzoor Palace, the family residences of the Maharaja of Gondal. You can enjoy the sitting room of the Place which is surrounded with a collection of miniature paintings, brass and antique furnitures of the royal family.

The highlight of the Palace is the Rail Saloon of the royal family. It is now a suite for a couple or small family to stay.

Not far from this heritage hotel, is the Naulakha Palace, a private museum exhibiting textiles, brassware, royal wardrobes, library, silver caskers, gifts and messages for Maharaja Bhagwat Sinjhi. It is a walled complex of the rulers which dates back to the 17th century. The façade is of stone carving with sculpture relief, carved columns and ornate jarokha balconies.

Also a must visit is the livery stable of the Maharaja. There are several handsome looking carriages including those used by the Maharaja during special occasions such as his golden jubilee as the ruler of Gondal.

The Orchard Palace, the former residence of the Maharaja and Maharani of Gondal, now a heritage hotel.

Naulaka Palace (right) of the royal family of Gondal is converted into a museum which showcases the library, living room and the divan.

Porbandar

Situated along the Arabian Sea, Porbandar is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. This sea-shore city is blessed with a lengthy coast line, rivers, lakes, hills and valleys together with desolate plains and grasslands.

Bhavnaghar

A port city with a natural harbour is about 200 kilometres from Ahmedabad. Not to be missed is Nimbang Palace, a renowned heritage hotel in Gujarat. Spend some nights here and experience the service and facilities of the hotel which is a mix of royal charm and modern luxuries. Nimbang Palace is surrounded by an expanse of green lawn and stoned structures. It was built in 1859, originally as a private dwelling for Sir Takhat singh of the ruling Gohil dynasty of Bhavnaghar.

Stone arches at the entrance of the Nimbang Palace.

Living (lobby) room of the Nimbang Palace heritage hotel.

Julia Douglas sitting at the steps of the heritage hotel.

Leading international MICE bureaus and suppliers have confirmed their committment to exhibit at the IT&CMA and CTW 2011 in October.

This powerful vote of confidence comes as a result of a successful 2010 event that featured some 13,000 business appointments which took place between 304 exhibiting companies and 483 MICE buyers and corporate travel managers. MICE organisations already on board for the 2011 event include, returning exhibitors Brunei Tourism Development Department, Dusit International, Egyptian Tourism Office, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Republic of Indonesia, Laguna Phuket, Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MYCEB), Seoul Tourism Board, Silversea Cruises and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Hard Rock Hotels and Starwood Hotels and Resorts will be participating at the IT&CMA and CTW for the first time.

Exhibitors who return to IT&CMA and CTW year-after-year, cite reasons that include, the event being a good source of leads and exposure, as well as the high quality and quantity of attending international buyers.

This year marks the 10th IT&CMA and CTW. The event will be celebrated in Thailand.

Asia’s only doublebill event in MICE and corporate will be held from October 4 to 6 at Bangkok Convention Center, CentralWorld, Bangkok.

MIBEXPO Russia – International Meeting and Travel Exhibition and Conference (September 21 – 23, 2011)

MIBEXPO Russia is a leading meeting and business travel industry event in Russia and CIS countries which takes place together with the International Trade Fair for Tourism and Travel, Otdykh LEISURE Moscow, International Trade Fair for Luxury Travel and LUXURY Leisure Moscow. All these events are also held during the Moscow Autumn Travel Industry Week.

This year marked the seventh MIBEXPO event, and for the first time major players of the Russian MICE market, will take part in the exhibition. They are Demlink, Unifest, FCm Travel Solutions, the Russian Travel Management Company, Maxi MICE and Nicko Travel Group.

The exhibition offers access to the lucrative Russian market, opportunity to network with key players of the MICE business in the country, and meet international suppliers. Attending the MIBEXPO is essential in understanding the specifics of MICE in Russia, as well as exposure to trends and outlooks in the development of the industry.

The show is designed for meeting professionals, corporate buyers, business travel operators, organizers of incentive tours, conventions and conferences, event management companies, hotels and airlines as well as national and regional convention bureaus.

As a highlight of the exhibition, a talk is organised consisting of several panel discussions and educational sessions. Well known experts are invited to discuss about different issues of the MICE industry such as the future, strategies, new markets, innovations and impacts of events in the context of business travel.

The MIBEXPO conference has the support of international associations such as IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers), ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) or DMAI (Destination Marketing Association International).

Last year the MIBEXPO Russia was a great success with 89 companies from 15 countries taking part in the exhibition. More than 100 MICE specialists from Moscow, the Russian regions, CIS countries and Europe participated in the event.

For more information, you can contact mibexpo@euroexpo-vienna.com or visit www.mibexpo.com

MICE in Asia is a media partner of MIBEXPO 2011.

How will an exhibitor be acquainted with the latest trends in the market?

It takes a lot to term an event successful, namely the skills that the exhibitor possesses, participation of delegates or attendees, the latest trends, the technology utilized, booth efficiency and lots more. And in order to stay tuned with the innovative field of exhibition, each exhibitor needs all the information available under a single roof.

The hunt for the skills and latest trends in the exhibition industry comes to an end with, Exhibitors Knowledge Forum 2011. EKF is an innovative one day seminar designed for exhibitors who are currently participating in exhibitions organized, in India and overseas to optimize their trade show participation and significantly increase their trade show ROI. With the grand success of EKF 2010, the exhibitor fraternity is awaiting EKF 2011 as it expands its reach from six to 10 cities, with Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Cochin and Coimbatore being the recent additions.

Dates and Venue:

Exhibitors at this exposition will get acquainted with the finer concepts of exhibition, from the prominent faculty in the International Trade Fair and Exhibition Industry. Ms. Karla Juegel, M.D, Messe- und Veranstaltungs-Management Munich, Germany. She is the advisor to the German Ministry of Education on behalf of educational programmes for young professionals in the Exhibition & Event Industry.

This platform is indeed an opportunity for the delegates to indulge in an interactive discussion with the bigwigs of the industry. To know more click on http:www.inkbusinessmedia.com/series-3-ekf

MICE in Asia is the media partner of Exhibitors Knowledge Forum.