Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/572452
B M & T ••• May/June 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 Services App. These solutions clearly underline our leadership as a conceptual and technological MICE innovator, as well as the num- ber one choice for MICE events" IT&CM's goal of building strategic partnerships with reputable global and local organizations has resulted in valuable outcomes at this year's conference. The show's optimal 80% Chinese to 20% International buyer ratio featured 60 hand-picked buyers by Euromic, the MICE Committee of China Association of Travel Services (CATS) and World PCO Alliance. These three partners along with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), and SITE also contributed expert speakers to deliver the most relevant and dynamic knowledge and educational sessions at this year's event. And the international participants had no shortage of things to do in Shanghai. Whether taking a walk along the Bund, the historic waterfr ont promenade that separates old colonial buildings from the Huangpu River, or strolling along the pedestrian East Nanjing Street and its endless side alleys, adventure awaits around every corner in Shanghai. Oh yeah, did I mention shopping? There are three levels of shopping in Shanghai. The high end with such brands as Armani, Chanel, Prada and Rolex; the mid- range with legit Western brands like Nike, Timberland and Michael Kors; and the low-end selling everything from massed produced Gucci bags, fake (though good) Rolex copies, and Hermes and Prada knock-offs. You'll also find counterfeit DVD's of all of your favorite movies for $2.00. IT&CM China, along with IT&CM and CTW Asia- Pacific - which is held in Bangkok, is organized by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media. Both the Bangkok and Shanghai events bring together international MICE exhibitors and buyers in two dynamic marketplaces. IT&CM China and IT&CM and CTW Asia-Pacific are both platforms for leading players in the MICE industry to explore business opportunities on all fronts – inbound, out- bound, domestic and international. Delegates who invest in the Bangkok and Shanghai events receive the best return on their investment through structured business appointments, exhi- bition showcases, seminar sessions, official networking sessions and educational tours. The IT&CM and CTW Asia-Pacific event in Bangkok last October, drew more than 800 exhibiting delegates with exhibitors from destinations as diverse as Cambodia and Switzerland. Buyers selected from over 1,000 registrants represented corporate travel associations, luxury travel and MICE organizations from all over the world. The Bangkok event also featured the first-ever post show familiarization trip outside of Thailand, to Cambodia - which I participated in. Exploring Siem Reap and Angkor Wat – the world's largest religious monument, was an amazing and memo- rable experience. With over 10,000 business appointments and more than 80 business, educational and networking sessions, IT&CM and CTW Asia-Pacific has proven to be the perfect platform to find new busi- ness partners and showcase your products in Southeast Asia. Likewise, since 2007, IT&CM China has proven to be the ideal event to discover new and exciting MICE products in China - and for them to discover you.