Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia, ‘The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, has announced a partnership with leading conference management company, K.I.T. Group to hold two back to back educational sessions on the growth and outlook of international association events in Asia.
Both conference sessions will take place on the second day of the three day show, on 30 October at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
“We have created these two unique conference sessions as part of our specialist hosted buyer programme for this year’s ITB Asia. The association meeting business is becoming a major sector within the region as this industry is relatively resilient and such events take place regardless of global economic conditions. Our goal therefore is to bring industry experts from around the world under one roof to explore and exchange new ideas in meetings management; and opportunities to attract and better service these events,” said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.
The first session titled ‘Asian Medical Associations and their events today’ will feature leaders of distinguished Asian Associations discussing the relevance of medical meetings in the region. It will include topics on how Asian societies and events are contributing to the worldwide exchange of science, what significant ways Asian medical meetings are different from other parts of the world and what type of returns will European, US and international meetings and associations gain by holding meetings in this region. Panellists for this session include Huang Jianyin from the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Professor Lim Seng Gee, Chief and Senior Consultant Hepatologist, Singapore, Dr Harshwardhan Mardikar, Organiser of Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes congress (CAD India) and Senator Datuk Professor Sim Kui Hian, President of Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology and Past President of the National Heart Association Malaysia.
“Attracting and maintaining participants from the Asia Pacific region has become part of the European and US medical congress business model.
Indeed for many specialties, this demographic sector is one of the few to be growing so the promise of greater synergies is mutually enticing. We have tailored our conference content according to the needs and opportunities in this market, delivering a programme that is interesting while maintaining relevance to benefit all participants,” said Ben Hainsworth, K.I.T. Group Executive Director for Associations, Industry Liaison and Content Development.
The second session called ‘Snakes and Ladders’, will feature industry leaders discussing the actual business of organising association events in Asia. Experts from venues, publishers, convention bureaus and the meeting planning community will discuss the amazing potential that the region represents and share some do’s and don’ts. Can we adapt the marketing, hospitality and delivery of our own events to better accommodate delegates from the region? Panellists for this session include Ms M Crowley, PCMA, Director, Global Development, Professor Hennerici, President of the World Stroke Congress, Ms J Lim, Executive Director, Conventions, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau, Mr P Roth, Director Product and Marketing, Karger Publishers and Ms J Salsbury, Senior Director China National Convention Centre, Beijing.
Now in its seventh year, ITB Asia continues to develop its offerings and re-invent itself to visitors. The show represents the full spectrum of tourism at all levels including the hospitality sector, aviation companies, tour operators or travel agencies, National Tourism Organisations, travel technology firms, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and corporate travel representatives.
