continues to emerge as a powerhouse in the global business events industry, driven by rapid economic growth, increasing cross-border collaboration, and a deepening appreciation for the value of face-to-face engagement. Within this landscape, events like IT & CMA( Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia) and CTW( Corporate Travel World) Asia-Pacific play an important role in fostering connections and conversations that shape the sector’ s future. Indeed this year’ s edition of IT & CMA( 23-25 September at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld) marks the show’ s 33rd year in championing international MICE business within Asia Pacific.

The evolving role of business events Business events are a vital component of Asia-Pacific’ s economic and social fabric. They facilitate knowledge exchange, spark innovation, and create opportunities for regional integration. As companies expand their reach and governments invest in infrastructure, the demand for well-organised, impactful events continues to grow.

However, the market is competitive and diverse. Numerous platforms, both global and regional, vie for attention and relevance. In this context, no single event can claim to define the industry. Instead, each gathering contributes in its own way to the broader ecosystem, offering unique value to its participants.

The place of IT & CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific Since their inception, IT & CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific have provided a space for business events and corporate travel professionals to meet, share insights, and explore business opportunities. By co-locating, these events offer delegates the convenience of engaging with both sectors under one roof, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of business travel and event planning.

Left: Centara Grand

Below: Bangkok

A platform for dialogue and development What sets IT & CMA and CTW Asia- Pacific apart is not exclusivity, but their commitment to fostering dialogue. The events serve as a platform for discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, whether it’ s digital transformation, sustainability, or evolving attendee expectations. They provide a forum for both established players and newcomers to share perspectives and learn from each other.

In a market as dynamic as Asia- Pacific, such spaces are essential. They help industry professionals navigate uncertainty, adapt to change, and identify new avenues for growth. These events make a meaningful contribution to the region’ s ongoing development as a global business events hub.

Looking ahead As the business events industry continues to evolve, the need for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing remains paramount. By bringing people together and promoting the importance of business events, events like IT & CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific help ensure that Asia- Pacific remains at the forefront of global business events and incentive travel. n

n Find out more of what can be expected at the largest collection of Asia-Pacific MICE and corporate destinations, product and service suppliers and buyers at: www. itcmevents. com