CHINA – Shanghai-based meetings, incentives and business travel exhibition, IT&CM China has seen a 10 per cent increase in visitors, organisers claims on its first day of the three-day show.

The show’s co-organisers, MP International and publisher TTG Asia Media, said the fifth edition of the show has attracted 691 exhibitors (40% Chinese), 344 buyers, 83 international media and over 1,000 trade visitors from 43 countries. In 2010, the event attracted more than 2,000 delegates from 42 countries.

The 2011 buyers, 50 per cent of who are new, include new representatives from Argentina, Cambodia, Cyprus, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. Also present this year were new media from France, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain and Vietnam.

TTG Asia Media’s MD, Darren Ng said at the opening of the show he had “big plans for significant expansion” and mooted the possible move to a new venue within the ShanghaiMart Expo site for the 2012 exhibition.

IT&CM China 2011 is being held from 13-15 April at ShanghaiMart Expo and is themed ‘Leading China’s New MICE Wave’.

The show is part of Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA)’s inaugural Shanghai Business Events Week, held from 11 to 15 April. “This partnership enhances the IT&CM China 2011 programme, offering delegates more exciting opportunities in business, education and networking.” said Ng.

Exhibitor Destination Thailand expects to increase MICE volume from China by about 20 per cent as compared to 2010. “Thailand aims to promote a variety of new products and destinations to the China MICE market. We believe that the on-going MICE developments in cities such as Samui, Hadyai, Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiangmai and Phuket would be of strong interest to Chinese buyers,” said Waraporn Sornprom, Senior Regional Manager for East Asia, Meetings and Incentives Department of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

IT&CM China 2011 exhibition will also feature for the first time, a pavilion dedicated to unique convention venues and travelwellness offerings from China. MICE venues and destination management services from the Middle East are also making its debut this year.

Twenty-three Corporate Travel Expert (CTE) participants completed the one and half-day business travel management starter programme, offered for the first-time in Shanghai by Global Business TravelAssociation (GBTA) and TTG Asia Media.

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