4th ITB Asia sharpens profil: Exhibitors and visitors increasing
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| ITB Asia, initiated by Messe Berlin, is finding its position as a show for Asia. |
Singapore (October 28, 2011). Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, will increase the overall exhibition floor space by 15% in 2012 and move to level 4 of Suntec Singapore from level 6 after a record performance this year. The fourth edition of ITB Asia came to a close last Friday and attracted 7,511 trade visitors from 91 countries, an increase of around 14% from last year, 50% more compared to 2010.
Dr. Martin Buck, Vice President, Messe Berlin (Singapore) is happy about the feedback to ITB Asia: "The show grows in a pleasant way and attracts more and more attention proved by many high-profile industry representatives. We received a large number of high level management and key decision makers to the show this year including Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO and David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, demonstrating the event’s growing importance and international appeal."
Exhibitors from over 70 countries were represented from as far as Botswana, Finland, Croatia and Iraq as well as partner country Japan who reported an increase in business activity at ITB Asia 2011. The number of exhibitors from Germany declined from 28 to 21 due to the experience that some companies are not yet s
Official partner country of ITB Asia was Japan. The country intends to join the show again next year. First time exhibitor and ‘Official Partner Hotel’ Hilton Worldwide, has also pledged to return next year after a successful show according to Philippe Garnier, Vice-President, Sales and Regional Marketing Asia Pacific of Hilton Worldwide.
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| The official press conference with reputable partners and positive figures. |
The hotel chain benefitted from the remarkable marketing by the show and hosted the opening evening reception at Conrad Centennial Singapore. The official "partner hotel" 2012 will be Pan Pacific Hotels, Martin Buck told hospitalityInside.com yesterday.
Buck's summary after the 4th ITB Asia: The focus on leisure and MICE in Asia was the right way to go. Today, the show nearly doubles the size of competing shows in Asia as it obviously satisfy market needs.
Conference programme well-accepted
Several changes and enhancements were made to ITB Asia 2011. The organisers introduced a new category of partially hosted buyers to the show this year, targeted at those with tight travelling schedules. In all, there were about 600 buyers at the event.
This year’s show also had the largest conference line-up ever including the inaugural TTG Asia Travel Agency conference, the second edition of Association Day as well as panel sessions on ‘Loyalty Programmes, ‘Boutique Hotels’ and ‘Women in Action’.
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| Paul Brown of the "Partner-Hotel" Hilton holding the keynote. |
"This year, we have set out to build the show as a key knowledge platform by boosting our conference component. It is extremely encouraging to note that we have achieved strong attendance figures of 150 – 200 delegates on average for each panel session, with positive feedback about the quality of speakers and insights generated from these sessions. We will definitely continue on this focus moving forward and delegates can look forward to even more robust conference programmes in future," Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.
"At ITB Asia, we’ve always made it a point to listen to our buyers, delegates and exhibitors to ensure the show improves year-on-year. This is one of the main reasons we have shifted the event to the first week of October next year to ensure everyone gets the best possible outcome from their investment in ITB Asia,” added Gruettke.
ITB Asia 2012 will take place at the Suntec Singapore Exhibition & Convention Centre, 3-5 October (www.itbasia.com). / kn
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