WITH more than 300 exhibitors, a 21 per cent growth in event space over 2010, some 300 hosted buyers (25 per cent up on last year), plus more than 5,500 pre‐scheduled appointments and an increase in the number of professional education seminars, CIBTM 2011 is following the trend of growth for the Mice sector in the region and will be the largest event of its kind since the launch in 2005.
Highlights from this year’s event, which takes place from August 30 to September 1, include 14 domestic tourism boards who will participate as exhibitors as the sector recognises the economic impact of the Mice industry.
Beijing joins Shanghai, Yunnan, Hangzhou, Gansu, Sanya, Xiamen, Tianjin, Quijiang, Haidian, Dongcheng, Pinggu, Changping and Xicheng.
With more than 20 new exhibitors from China, including hotels, tourism bureaus, DMCs, agencies and other services to the Mice sector, participants include the Pangu seven-star hotel, Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, Haidian District Tourism Bureau, Mission Hills China, Ocean Spring Resort, Tianjin Saint Light Investment & Development, Xia Men Convention & Exhibition Association, Hertz China , CYTS International Travel, New Century Hotel & Resort, Hangzhou Tourism Committee and Grand Bay View Hotel.
A number of new international companies have also committed to attending this year including Tourism Australia, Scandinavia Tourism Board and Geneva Tourism & Conventions. They join companies including Langham Hotels, Carlson Hotels, Meet Taiwan, Silversea Cruises, Millenium Hotels, South African Tourism, Sicilia Convention Bureau, Tourism Ireland, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Thailand Convention Bureau.
The number of Chinese hosted buyers in attendance is set to increase representing the Mice sector from many of the key cities in the republic including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Dablian, Xiamen, Changsha, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Qingdo, Beijing and Hong Kong. Internationally hosted buyers will come from 16 countries including France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Russia, the UAE, the US, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Once again the annual China and Asia Meetings Industry Report will be presented on the first day of CIBTM acting as a barometer for the sector and indicator of the impact of this part of the world both now and in the future.
“There is no doubt that China’s meetings industry has huge potential with predictions that the sector is a $150 billion market with annual growth of 20 per cent (HelmsBriscoe April 2011),” Says Jeffrey Xu, CIBTM project manager. “This year’s event is clearly following the trend of growth. The impact that CIBTM will have on both inbound and outbound Mice business will clearly establish it as the annual business forum. It is also the only event endorsed and supported by the China National Tourism Organisation (CNTO).
“Our goal, once again, is to help connect the China meetings market with the rest of Asia and the world.
“The success of last year’s professional education programme is expected to attract huge numbers as the thirst for industry knowledge and information grows. We will addressing the very latest international, regional and local topics with debates from world case speakers helping delegates to develop their careers in this sector through up-to-the-minute news, topics and trends.”