Face-to-Face: Nino Gruettke
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Travel Daily chats with Nino Gruettke, executive director of ITB Asia, about this year’s trade show and his plans for the future of the event…
1) How are exhibitor numbers looking ahead of ITB Asia 2014?
As ‘The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’ ITB Asia connects visitors to hundreds of exhibitors from all segments of the travel industry across the world. Over the last seven years, ITB Asia has grown significantly and clearly established itself as an important fixture in the calendars of industry players across the globe. Last year, we attracted 825 exhibitor organizations from 73 countries and we continue to see strong support this year from our international array of industry partners, with more exhibitors securing even more space than ever before.
As a global melting pot for the travel industry, ITB Asia draws together a wide variety of exhibitors from all sectors of the travel-value chain, including the MICE industry, hospitality and aviation sectors, tour operators and travel agencies, NTOs, travel technology firms, and both leisure and corporate travel representatives. An invaluable platform to network and engage knowledge, attendees not only gain an insight into the latest trends and issues facing the industry, but also have the opportunity to grow their businesses and develop lasting partnerships.
2) Which regions do you expect to have a strong/increased presence at this year’s event?
Following their strong support at previous shows, Asian exhibitors will continue their prominent presence at ITB Asia 2014. Last year, we saw both Chinese and Japanese exhibitors more than tripling their exhibition space, underscoring the importance of this annual trade show, and we are confident that they will be continue to grow their presence this year. Other regions that are expected to be represented strongly at this year’s event are the Middle East and Europe. This year, we are also seeing increased interest from the US, who indicated that they will be looking to grow their presence at ITB Asia 2014 following a successful showing last year.
As the biggest travel trade show in the region, ITB Asia is a global platform that has grown year-on-year to represent a full spectrum of businesses invested in the Asian travel market. Last year, we saw almost 9,100 attendees from around the world, as many tourism industries continue to focus their attention on the growing demands of the Asian travel market.
3) Which countries/regions will be exhibiting for the first time in 2014?
As the Asia Pacific travel market continues its rapid growth trajectory, ITB Asia continues to attract new exhibitors from all across the world. Last year the event drew exhibitors and visitors from 110 nations, highlighting an increasing recognition of the vast opportunities in the region. This year, we look forward to welcoming an ever more diverse group of exhibitors as ITB Asia’s reputation as a premier platform for business opportunities in the Asian travel market cements it as a must-attend industry event.
4) ITB Asia moves to Marina Bay Sands this year; how will this affect the amount of floor space available to exhibitors?
ITB Asia’s growing prominence and its position as ‘The Travel Trade Show for the Asian Market’, has led to significant growth over the past few years, and our decision to partner Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre over the next three years is designed to support this expansion.
ITB Asia 2014 will have approximately 15% more floor space than last year’s show with further room to expand in subsequent years. Our strategic partnership with Marina Bay Sands offers us a unique value proposition, including accommodation for attendees as official hotel partner and world-class conferencing facilities as official venue. The venue’s prominence together with ITB Asia’s reputation as a leading trade show will help to attract and grow leisure, MICE and corporate industry partnerships.
This partnership also provides ITB Asia with the flexibility to grow and expand our programme to reach out to more quality delegates and exhibitors worldwide. Marina Bay Sands will also be bringing 100 of their top worldwide buyers from across the corporate, MICE and leisure industry sectors to this year’s event.
5) What new activities can we expect at this year’s ITB Asia?
ITB Asia aims to provide visitors with the latest insights and practical knowledge on the travel industry. Each year’s show boasts a variety of activities specially tailored to address the latest developments, challenges and trends across the travel industry, including a unique conference programme and fringe events that support the overall ITB Asia offering.
For the upcoming seventh edition of ITB Asia, we are currently in talks with key industry players to make the conference component even stronger than ever before. We are also working on a new concept that better integrates the conference component into the exhibition, and will be looking to announce these plans in the coming months.
Last year, our conference programme delivered over 3,850 minutes of high powered content, from experts presenting on a range of topics that address the most relevant and pressing issues in the travel industry. We are confident that this year’s enhanced conference programme will further strengthen our position as a must-attend event for the travel industry in Asia.
6) Can you tell us any more about the possible launch of ITB China?
Due to the overwhelming success of ITB Asia in Singapore, we have been approached by multiple potential partners and NTOs looking to expand the ITB brand into new markets around the region.
The travel industry is dynamic with endless potential for new opportunities to develop. With the rapidly growing Asian market, the spotlight may very well be placed on another country or another segment of travel in the future. At this point in time, we are committed to developing the show further in Singapore and have no plans to move. However, as the ITB brand evolves further, we do see the potential to possibly develop certain segments of the show in other Asian countries such as China.
7) This year will mark the seventh edition of ITB Asia. Are you satisfied with the how the event has progressed over the years, and where would you like to see it in seven years’ time?
Since our inaugural show in 2008, we have significantly expanded our international portfolio of exhibitors, quality hosted buyers, and our line-up of conferences and panels. Last year was a record year for us, with almost 9,100 delegates attending our event, and an ever growing diverse exhibitor representation with strong demand from Europe, Asia and North America.
Listening and adapting to the industry needs have allowed us to capture the attention of the Asian travel market, and this can be partly attributed to our high quality conference programme, which provides tailored sessions that address the key developments, challenges and trends across the travel industry. The 2013 programme had over 3,850 minutes of high powered, quality content.
Over the next seven years, we hope to maintain and build on our position as a must attend event for the travel industry through developing our conference programme, and product offerings that prepare businesses to take advantage of opportunities in the growing Asian market.
At ITB Asia, visitors can truly ‘meet the world in three days’ as the event provides the perfect platform for visitors to connect and network with each other. Through partnerships with key industry players we hope to continue our strong growth, and consistently refine and improve our programme to make ITB Asia the best it can be.
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