 Opening Ceremony of the Courtyard by Marriott, Suwon Marriott International has opened the first Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Suwon, part of the new MICE Complex within Suwon Gwanggyo New Town in South Korea. The hotel officially opened on 3 January attended by Mayor Yeom Tae-young, Mayor of Suwon City, Kim Young-chul, CEO of Hanwha Hotel & Resort, Choi Kwang-ho, CEO of Hanwha E & C and Nam Ki-duk, CEO of Marriott International Korea. The hotel is a key addition to the developing MICE Complex, currently comprised of Suwon Convention Center and Gwanggyo Lake Park.
 Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) led by Ms Nooch Homrossukhon, Director – Meetings and Incentives Department, together with Bangkok Airways’ Vice President – Marketing, Mr Varong Israsena Na Ayudhaya and Ms Tippamas Kaysee, Vice President – Tourism Marketing for Central Department Store Limited Group (CDS), introduce a new enhanced campaign so-called “Fly, Meet, Shop” to boost Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) corporate travel markets at the press conference today at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
 Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel), a lifestyle destination situated at the heart of Singapore Changi Airport, has been accorded the Special Jury Award at the MAPIC Awards 2019 – a prestigious industry event which honours the world’s most outstanding retail real estate projects, held in Cannes, France.
Rewarding excellence, innovation and creativity in the global retail real estate industry, the MAPIC Awards, into its 24th run, saw a total of 111 entries from 33 countries across 11 categories. While Jewel Changi Airport Devt (JCAD) had initially submitted entries for two categories (Best Leisure Concept and Best Shopping Mall), the jury panel comprising top retail real estate experts, accorded Jewel the Special Jury Award, granted to the jury’s favourite project among all.  Thailand's MICE industry leaders with Mr Chiruit, President of TCEB, and Mr Kai Hattendorf, UFI MD and CEO UFI encourages global members for meeting in Thailand and is confident that Thailand will step up as a world leader in exhibitions. Mr Kai Hattendorf, UFI Managing Director and CEO said that according to the Trade Fair Industry in Asia 2018 Report, it is stated that Thailand is the largest trade fair market by wide margin in Southeast Asia and recorded a robust growth in terms of the number of the trade fairs and net spaces sold annually, as well as being well position for continued growth. Thailand has a world-class portfolio of venues, excellent supporting infrastructure, a dynamic group of event organisers and strong, sustained support from the government.
 Dr Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, and Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board at the signing of the MOU. [Photo courtesy of Messe Berlin (Singapore)] ITB Asia 2019, which ended on 18 October 2019, attracted a record number of 13,000 attendees from 132 countries and territories. The show saw strong participation this year with over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 1,250 buyers. The three-day exhibition also saw more than 27,000 business appointments made, a 7.4% year-on-year growth.
Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin said: “After 12 years, ITB Asia experienced strong growth again. This new record clearly demonstrates that the show is well accepted by the industry around the world as the must-attend event in Asia. Messe Berlin is delighted to continue the strategic partnership with Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) from 2020 to 2022. We very quickly realised that not only could we benefit from the extension, but that the whole of the global travel industry stood to benefit as well. I am also pleased to know that every year the team and all partners involved work hard to design ITB Asia to go right to the heart of the industry. At ITB, we build unforgettable emotions that link our industry with its people. Attendees can walk away with new inspiration, cultivating relationships and tangible takeaways.”  Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, Singapore ITB Asia 2019 officially opened on 16 October at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. From 16 - 18 October 2019, organisations from across the travel industry gathers to establish high-quality contacts and conduct business.
ITB Asia 2019 opening ceremony was graced by guests-of-honour: Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, Republic of Singapore; Mr Michael Müller, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany and Dr Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Messe Berlin GmbH. In his speech, Mr Chee reiterated the importance of leisure travel and business travel/MICE markets. He also elaborated on Singapore's three pronged approach to maintaining its competitiveness in the tourism industry by continuously refreshing existing attractions and offerings, using big data in tourism marketing and management, and collaboration with educational institutions in preparing the industry for the ever changing business landscape.  Infographics as presented at IT&CMA 2019. Courtesy of TCEB The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is launching its ‘Meet Sustainable’ financial subsidy, a first for Thailand’s MICE industry, to position the country as the sustainable practices leader in the region and beyond. A maximum of 200,000 baht in cash support will be offered to meeting and incentive groups of minimum 50 international delegates, staying at least three nights in Thailand, and meeting at least two elements of TCEB’s criteria for sustainable event practices.
IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2019 took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 24-26 September this year. In total, there were 345 new and returning exhibitors, along with 474 MICE, association and corporate buyers. According to the organiser, returning exhibitors have increased their space take-up with TCEB helming the largest pavilion of 600 sqm followed by Tourism Promotions Board, Philippines of 210 sqm.
However, it was not difficult to notice that the exhibition was relatively small, with glaring absence of exhibitors from China and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Despite the size of the show, delegates expressed positive experiences overall, citing more intimacy and opportunities to network through a variety of newly introduced learning and social activities.  (Photo courtesy of TCEB) Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is moving fast to rock global MICE market, highlighting the “4M”s at this year’s IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific, held in Bangkok from 24-26 September 2019. The aim is to attract more business meeting groups into Thailand across all segments. It is expected that the campaign will generate 57,000 million baht in 2020. TCEB joins hands with the five MICE cities and their entrepreneurs to activate MICE measures for the environments, targeting to cut down waste volume by 50%.
 (From left) Siriphong Mangkalee, Director of ASEAN Department, Thai Airways International; Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, TCEB; and Darren Ng, Managing Director, TTG Asia Media At the IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia Pacific official press conference held on 24 September 2019 in Bangkok, Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media announced that this double-bill MICE and corporate travel event had surpassed last year’s performance with an increase in delegate participation across all delegate categories.
The show attracted 345 new and returning destinations and brands along with 474 pre-confirmed MICE, Association and Corporate Buyers. Returning exhibitors have increased their space take-up with TCEB helming the largest pavilion of 600sqm followed by Tourism Promotions Board, Philippines of 210sqm. This year, the show also welcoming more than 10 new destinations and corporate brands. |
