ASIA Travel Tips.com

(http://www.asiatraveltips.com)

The Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau (SECB), a division of the Singapore Tourism Board, will lead a delegation of 32 industry players to attend the 10th Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia 2002 (IT&CMA) held in Bangkok between 23 and 25 October.

At IT&CMA, one of Asia-Pacific's major trade fairs and conferences, the Singapore delegation will be meeting key clients and partners to understand how the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry in Singapore can best meet their needs and concerns.

Singapore's MICE industry has weathered crises and continues to be resilient. In 2001, the number of exhibitions and meetings increased by 42 per cent and 40 per cent respectively.

Singapore has recently secured two major bids, totalling an estimated 17,400 delegates. The 2006 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank will bring an estimated 15,000 delegates to Singapore and the East Asia Economic Summit (EAES) by the World Economic Forum (WEF) have anchored their next three meetings in Singapore in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

In addition, Singapore has clinched the bid to host the World Congress of the International Vegetarian Union 2004, World Hydrogen Technologies Convention 2005 and 5th International Conference on Urban Pests, attracting up to 1,850 delegates in total.

Singapore has also retained its ranking as Asia's top convention city for the 19th consecutive year and the world's top fifth for the third year running, based on the latest announcement by the Brussels-based Union of International Associations.

Other accolades awarded to Singapore this year include "Favourite Business City" by Business Traveller Asia Pacific and "Favourite Business City" in Asia by TIME Magazine.

Ms Bonnie Tong, SECB's Assistant Director Exhibitions & Conventions said: "Singapore's success is captured in its excellent infrastructure, world-class venues and experienced industry players, with whom we have very close partnerships. Our success as a business destination would not have been possible without the strong support of our industry partners. The fact that we have a record 32 partners with us at this event bears testimony to this strong partnership."

The delegation of industry players supporting SECB at this year's IT&CMA includes hotels, Destination Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers and MICE venues. Singapore's stand at the IT&CMA is 206, from 23 to 25 October, at IMPACT Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.