ITB Asia has announced it will continue its partnership with conference and association management company, K.I.T Group, expanding this year’s association conference programme. A series of sessions entitled ‘EAST Meetings WEST’ will focus on how European and International associations can optimise their activities and relationships within the Asia Pacific region, and include dedicated discussions focusing on key markets such as China and India. The K.I.T. conference will take place on 22 October 2015, the second day of the show, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
“This educational business programme, designed especially for association executives and industry leaders, adds to ITB Asia’s strong conference line-up. This year’s speakers will discuss Asia’s unique association landscape, and provide advice on how organisers can enhance their own events to attract greater participation from the region.” said Katrina Leung, Executive Director, Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organisers of ITB Asia.
The first session titled ‘The Multipolar Knowledge Society’ will focus on the internationalisation and regionalisation of the Association world with contributions from Alessandro Cortese, CEO of the European Society Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and Mohamed Mezghani, Deputy Secretary of the Union International de Transport Public (UITP).
There will then be an in depth look at the growth of regional events in the association sector, case study presentations will be made by Josche Ouwerkerk, Manager of Conferences and Business Relations at the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and Professor Tan Huay Cheem, President, Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC).
“Our sessions are specifically designed for delegates looking to expand Asian involvement in their events, or to actually extend their events into the Asian market. Our timely and tailored content will allow attendees to garner insights into the vast opportunities of this diverse and expanding marketplace,” said Ben Hainsworth, Executive Director for Associations, K.I.T Group GmbH.
The conference will also shine a spotlight on the prospects of two regional giants, China and India. Speakers will include Jennifer Salsbury, CEO of IMC Convention Solutions, formerly Director of Sales, International at the China National Convention Center (CNCC), Beijing and a senior representative of the World Toilet Organization (WTO) which held its global summit in New Delhi earlier this year.
ITB Asia will have a strong line-up of conferences this year with a number of sessions already confirmed. These include partnerships with the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI), Centre for Aviation (CAPA), and DestinationElite. Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding on China’s booming outbound travel market, learn more about the latest change drivers that are essential to understanding the future of the aviation industry as well as trends in the premium travel and hospitality industry in Asia.
ITB Asia is a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore. Last year’s show attracted close to 750 exhibitors from 76 countries, as well as 850 buyers from 62 countries. ITB Asia is a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore Tourism Board.
