IT&CMA and CTW Asia Pacific to move to Pattaya in 2005

The 13th IT&CMA (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and the eighth CTW (Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific) travel shows are to be moved from Bangkok to Pattaya in Thailand for the next two years. The annual IT&CMA has been held in Bangkok since 2002 and is co-located with CTW Asia-Pacific this year.

The dates for the IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific are set for 12 -14 October 2005 and 10 -12 October 2006 at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH). IT&CMA was first held in Hong Kong (1993-1996), and then moved to Malaysia (1997-2001), and Thailand (2002-2004). CTW Asia-Pacific made its debut in Malaysia (1998), and then moved to Singapore (1999-2003).

“Thailand has always been a popular destination for both exhibitors and buyers. As the host country, Thailand has been able to attract participants from all over the world to experience the country’s warm hospitality, facilities, diversity and value as a MICE destination,” says Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media and organiser of IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific.

“The move to Pattaya is a display of Thailand’s quintessential diversity and local flavours. As Pattaya brands itself as an incentives and meetings destination, hosting IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific will launch a world of new opportunities and experiences for both buyers and sellers.” adds Ng.

To boost itself as a preferred MICE destination, Pattaya has undergone a US$50-million waterfront cleanup and the city will soon have access to the new US$2.7 billion Suvarnabhumi International airport in early 2006, which is just a 60-minute drive away. In addition, established hotel brands such as Sheraton, Novotel and Central are also moving into the city to compete for a slice of the incentives and MICE market.

“With the first co-location of the ITCMA and CTW Asia-Pacific events in Bangkok this year, we are very excited to host the second ITCMA and CTW Asia-Pacific for another two years at PEACH in Pattaya, Thailand,” says Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, Director General, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. He adds, “The city itself is well-known as a preferred destination for both MICE and leisure markets. In addition to PEACH’s fully-equipped convention centre and major hotel developments in the city, the new Suvarnnabhumi International Airport will also be a major factor in supporting these events.”

The Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) will be the venue for IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2005 and 2006. PEACH is located in Pattaya, southeast of Bangkok. It boasts a world-class multi-purpose convention and exhibition centre with 4,851 square metres of space and a 5,800-seat arena and vast outdoor space. PEACH is within easy access from Bangkok via expressways. It is located on the grounds of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, an award-winning five-star resort in South Pattaya, on a secluded headland overlooking Royal Cliff Bay and the Gulf of Siam.

For 2004, IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific will continue to be held on 12-14 October at the IMPACT Convention Center in Bangkok.