Mr. Tony Xu

China National Convention Center (CNCC) director of business development, Mr Tony Xu, said: "It's a must.In addition to marketing, we need a national CVB to develop a sustainable development plan for the whole country by offering RFP support, education, technical assistance and conducting research and analysis.

"The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau is the best example in Asia-Pacific.And the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau helped Bangkok jump from 20th spot in 2006 to 14th in 2007 in the ICCA rankings."

Mr Xu added the lack of city-level convention bureaus, world-class facilities, and good PCOs and DMCs were other factors working against China.
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For now, and until the China National Tourism Administration develops a national CVB, Mr Xu said each city or province would have to pull its own weight.

"We need a national CVB because some industry players, such as airlines, will not work with city-level CVBs.Ideally China's future national CVB should be an alliance of airlines, hotels and,venues.DMCs can also be included, but we don't have sufficient good ones," he added.

To showcase Beijing and CNCC's capabilities, the team is exhibiting at international trade shows, working with international media and attending conferences, such as the AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres) Annual Conference held in Singapore in July.

Mr Xu said: "We are approaching hotels around the venue to negotiate for rooms, recommending pre- and post-show itineraries, and advising clients on what to look out for when holding an event in Beijing.For instance, we tell clients to hold conferences in June to tap the available pool of students as temporary staff as they would have completed their exams."

Only a few established DMCs in Beijing have international offices, and they will not be able to handle several big conferences at the same time unless they expand, according to Mr Xu.

China National Convention Center (CNCC) director of business development, Mr Tony Xu, said: "International conferences, especially international associations' congresses, are always confirmed three or four years in advance.

Contact: Mr. Tony Xu

Tony Xu, Director of Business Development Office Telephone: +86 10 6499 1850 Mobile Telephone: + 86 1390 102 3052 Fax Number: +86 10 8497 2333 Email Address: tonyxu@cnccchina.com

Invited by ICCA CEO Martin Sirk, Business Development Director Tony Xu spoke as the table leader on Influence of US and European AMCs in Asia.

Mr. Tony Xu

Director of Business Development & Events Support