The inaugural ITB Asia which will be held from October 22-24, 2008 in Singapore, has announced partnerships with three specialist travel trade events that will give attendees access to four leading events in one trip to Singapore. Within four days, in the same location of Suntec, Singapore, delegates can attend a travel distribution, marketing and technology event, a corporate travel event, a MICE event, and a general travel trade show and convention.
The main event is ITB Asia. The Web in Travel (WIT) event takes place October 21-22. The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) has organised two morning sessions on October 23-24. Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) inaugural Asian Meetings and Events Conference takes place October 23-24. The ITB Asia Convention, where the latest travel industry issues and trends are discussed, takes place on the mornings of October 23-24.
Delegates to ITB Asia are eligible for discounts or member rate prices for the three niche events. Delegates to the three niche events can enter ITB Asia’s main exhibition hall, social and media events at no charge. ITB Asia will feature up to 500 exhibitor companies from over 40 countries meeting with up to 3,000 visitors including buyers. In all, 5,000 travel industry delegates are expected.
“If you want travel industry niche sector focus, we have it,” said Dr Martin Buck, director of Messe Berlin (Singapore) which is organizing the inaugural ITB Asia.
The four-in-one concept allows travel industry generalists to boost their understanding of niche segments, which often offer higher yields and dynamic growth. “Holding Web in Travel back-to-back with ITB Asia gives both events a great leg up,” says Siew Hoon, producer of the technology event. “WIT-ters get access to a large travel fair and ITB Asia delegates get access to a conference focused on one of the most dynamic segments in the Asian travel and tourism industry.”