May 2008

Features:
Brisbane
Island venues
Cruising
Technology


Cover:
Rendezvous Hotel Auckland

Regulars:
New Zealand News
Calendar of Events
Meeting People
Venue Update
In the Air

Going Green

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On with the shows ...

Since writing last month about exhibitions relevant to Australasia, I have visited IT&MC in Shanghai and IMEX in Frankfurt. For a new show, I'm amazed how well IT&MC performs. While generally small, the exhibits were professional and well manned, and the Chinese stands usually had an English speaker. Indeed, the hotels have many foreign personnel, including a fair amount of Australians, which certainly makes the going easier. 

The Chinese are developing their market quite quickly, even understanding the benefits of piggy-backing. For example, Shanghai's success means that the Hangzhou Province, 70km away, can offer a quite different China for pre- and post-touring. For Shanghai, the big success will be the largest-ever World Trade Fair in 2010, spanning both sides of the river. From the model and seeing the clearing going on, I've no doubt it will be worth attending.

Meanwhile, our industry's largest exhibition, IMEX, is very special with the whole world exhibiting. It is still growing, with masses of people charging around looking for stands for scheduled appointments. Aside from the show are many events and seminars, starting early and finishing late with dinners and functions. One interesting event was the political forum, in which open discussion with her peers was led by South Australia's Minister of Tourism Jane Lomax-Smith. I do hope that Madam Minister is inspired enough now to push harder for even better funding for her bureau in Adelaide so it can compete domestically and on the world stage.

Robert Yeomans
Publisher