Press Room

The organiser has appointed five leading hotels in the National Capital Region of Delhi as official hospitality partners for the MICE and luxury travel event’s inaugural year. The hotels will provide more than 400 rooms as accommodation for international hosted buyers and media attending the event. These hotels are Hilton Hotel New Delhi, Doubletree by Hilton New Delhi, Fraser Suites New Delhi, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort Greater Noida and Radisson Blu Hotel Greater Noida.

IT&CM India is an international MICE business, education and networking event that advance the opportunities of “Promoting India to the World and the World to India”. It is the first in the IT&CM series of events that also offers international and leading India exhibitors and buyers in the industry a dedicated avenue to showcase and procure luxury travel. In addition to the proven IT&CM programme formula comprising of structured business appointments, exhibition showcase, seminar sessions, official networking functions and tours, delegates to the three-day event will also receive access to India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB)’s Conventions India Conclave (CIC) and other partnering events that promise to enhance their investment at IT&CM India.

To date the event, has already attracted registration from some 330 international and Indian buyers, and close to 90 international and Indian media. The interest in the event is attributed to the growing focus on India as a MICE destination, as well as the line-up of exhibitors that has signed on to be part of the event’s maiden showcase. The exhibitors include Abercrombie and Kent, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Creative Travel, Egypt Tourism Office, Grand Mirage Resort, Hotel Properties Limited, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong, Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and Tourism of Cambodia.

At the same time, IT&CM India plans to deliver high on the education front. It will be held in conjunction with India Convention Promotion Bureau’s (ICPB) 7th Conventions India Conclave. Reputed international certification courses to will be offered to participants, such as the Fundamentals of Business Travel Management CourseTM by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and the Professional Association Executive (PAE) Course, a competency course for association of professionals which features course contents by the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) and the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE).

www.itcmindia.com

A Fashion Fantasy Bash in Parnership with Asahi and Mercedes-Benz

STYLO International presented a couture fashion show with a circus theme. Where was it held, at the compound of the Carlsberg Brewery in Shah Alam in Malaysia which was converted into Hogwart’s school? A celebration and spectacle where carnival meets fashion and the ringmaster, stilt walkers, clowns, jugglers took centre stage. Not your usual bright, colourful circus but, a dark, freaky, demented twist to fashion with large doses of humour. The evening evoked a sensation of Harry Potter’s world, where the hunters are sometimes the hunted and the watchers are often the watched.

On display throughout the night is the sleek Mercedes SLK 200 – very much desired by many. Mercedes-Benz joined forces to support STYLO’s world fashion series to promote emerging fashion talents internationally. It is done through STYLO’s worldwide fashion influence and extensive network.

Circus couture with a Harry Porter theme.

A host of international performing artists are set to hit Kuala Lumpur for the upcoming STYLO Fashion Grand Prix 2012 with the theme ‘Fashion Fantasies’. Led by its presenter Mercedes-Benz Malaysia with sponsors from Carlsberg Brewery, Visa International , F&F, Panasonic Malaysia, Proctor and Gamble, Hilton Kuala Lumpur and in partnership with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, several fashion events are organised heading towards the 14th Malaysian PETRONAS Formula 1 Grand Prix (racing days March 23- 25).

STYLO’s fantasy theme is intriguing combining the concept of fashion and circus. A small team from the Cirque du Soleil is flown in to Kuala Lumpur for a performance, as well as a 10-member circus-based performing arts contingent from London of aerialists, stilt walkers, fire-eaters, free-runner, pole dancers and break dancers will contribute to the festivities.

An agreement signed between Nancy Yeoh, CEO of STYLO International and Roland Folger, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Left with Noraza Yusof, Head of Tourism Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Nancy Yeoh, CEO of STYLO International.

The two events were held at Manado’s brand new Golden Kawanua Exhibition Hall. Close to 1,000 exhibitors occupied more than 450 exhibiting booths, representing a diverse range of ASEAN destination, travel products and services suppliers.

ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination. The ATF TRAVEX is considered to be the longest-running annual ASEAN leisure travel trade event which showcases the largest contingent of ASEAN sellers. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 ASEAN member nations: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Each year the hosting of ATF rotates among the member countries and Vientiane, the capital of Laos will have the opportunity to host the next event in 2013.

One-to-one interview with Ibu Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Republic of Indonesia.

Left, Nia Niscaya, Director of International Tourism, Indonesia and other officials .

Right at the press conference by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

TRAVEX 2012 at the Golden Kwanua Exhibition Hall.

The Minister of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Ng Yen Yen, meeting the media at the Novotel Convention Centre in Manado

Ending the luncheon hosted by country Malaysia at the ATF with a dance routine headed by the Tourism Minister.

Tourism Malaysia officials with the Manado Brass Band.

This April from 17 to 19, the IT&CM China 2012 will be held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Exhibitors and buyers can once again expect to conduct business and network with industry players in China.

IT&CM China has since 2007 established itself, as China’s leading professional meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions business and networking event. It brings together not only Chinese, but International MICE exhibitors and buyers – all in one dynamic marketplace. It’s for people in the MICE industry to explore new and exciting business opportunities, as well as strengthen existing partnerships.

The 3-day event will be organised along structured business appointments, exhibition showcase, seminar sessions, official networking functions and tours.

This is a new and exciting tourist hub for art, fashion and authentic Malaysian food. It was officially opened on Dec 23 last year by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail. Earmarked under the Kuala Lumpur beautification project, the task was awarded to Trend Matrix Enterprises to develop the abandoned space into what is now a popular one-stop destination for tourists and KLites.

The 416m-walk is located along a small strip of land that links Jalan P Ramlee to the connecting road between Jalan Pinang and Jalan Perak surrounded by high-rise commercial offices, residential buildings and hotels. Conveniently located in Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle it is close to, and within an easy walking distance of around 10 minutes from the iconic KL Petronas twin towers and the KLCC Convention centre.

The KL CityWalk is definitely the place to be with its food and beverage outlets, art gallery and boutiques – tourist friendly with an information booth and airline ticketing offce. It’s also located close to several hotels in the city.

The brand new Golden Kawanua Exhibition Hall is the venue for the ATF 2012 TRAVEX which will welcome close to 1,000 exhibitors who occupying more than 450 exhibiting booths, representing a diverse range of
ASEAN destination, travel products and service suppliers.

Host country Indonesia will showcase the largest delegation of suppliers among the ASEAN countries with representation from over 100 companies and properties.
Buyer registrations and interest to attend the event have hit the 900 mark. Only 400 of all registered buyers will be hosted to attend ATF 2012. In addition, 50 non-hosted buyers are expected to participate. Buyer profiles will include trade representatives from over 55 countries including Australia, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China PR, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.

While over 100 international and local media will be present to deliver live coverage and destination stories and reports to travel trade and tourism audiences worldwide.

To supplement business days there will be plenty of social networking activities. Indonesia will host both the opening and closing ceremony on January 12 and 15. “Both platforms are perfect opportunities for the destination to showcase its cultural performances and authentic Indonesian dishes,” said Nia Niscaya, director of international tourism promotion of the ministry of culture and tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.
The opening ceremony features a Batik fashion show and will have the honour of being presided by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

On January 13 and 14, delegates can also look forward to hosted dinners by Laos who will be the host country of ATF 2013, and the Philippines. Dazzling the event further is a late night function by the city of Pattaya on January 13 which is jointly hosted with TTG Asia.

For more information and programme updates on ATF 2012, please visit www.atfindonesia.com

Several returning exhibitors were seen at the trade show, while new ones such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Poland and Hyderabad Convention Bureau make their debut this year. Individual designs of exhibition booths too are getting bigger, and more creative and modern, taking the opportunity of the event to showcase their latest products, facilities and services in a big way. All these keeping the international MICE and corporate buyers attending the trade show excited about new developments in the MICE and travel industry.

The educational sessions of the show continued to add value to the IT&CMA & CTW 2011, offering delegates latest information on travel and MICE products and business activities. This year the Seoul Convention Bureau hosted the Korea night with the theme of the evening, ‘Take 5’. Once again the event was held at the Bangkok International Convention Centre and from October 4 to 6.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council invited Julia Douglas, managing editor of MICE in Asia for a four-day trip to Taipei, to find out more about the convention and exhibition facilities and services available in the capital of Taiwan. Arrangements were also made to meet exhibition and event industry players in the city and, a one-to-one interview with Walter Yeh, the executive vice president of TAITRA. She also had the opportunity to experience first hand, the spa services offered by Chang Gung Memorial Hospital – Taiwan is now looking at expanding medical tourism into the country.

As a small country, Taiwan is fast becoming a business tourism destination. The country, hosts several major international exhibitions such as on bicycles, electronic, manufacturing and green environment.

TAITRA a non-profit foundation works with business and trade associations in Taiwan and the government, to promote the country’s industry abroad, as well as international trade. The exhibition industry has become Taiwan’s platform in promoting products and services of the country.

Currently, Taipei is ranked as number two best destination in Asia and eleven in the world according to the 2010 ranking by ICCA. In terms of organising congresses, Taiwan is number four in Asia and 23rd in the world.

The sixth edition of International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) which is the largest travel event in Vietnam, was successful held at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 3-day event which began from September 14 offered exhibitors, buyers and visitors the opportunity to explore Asia’s most authentic and exciting tourism potential from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, under the unique ‘Three Countries One Destination’ concept.