Shanghai – From 2015, Chinese Corporate Travel professionals can finally look forward to a much anticipated Conference dedicated to building the body of industry knowledge and cultivating best practices relating to China’s business travel policies and decision-making process.

Branded and modelled after TTG Asia Media’s Corporate Travel Word (CTW) Asia-Pacific, the newly launched edition in Shanghai is aptly named CTW China to reflect the show’s focus on the interests and requirements of this geographical region. Similar to its 16-year flagship counterpart, CTW China will boast a full-fledged conference programme coupled with structured procurement sessions with relevant suppliers and plenty of networking avenues that address a local Corporate Travel professional’s multitude of participation objectives.

Coming together to launch CTW’s first extension event, TTG Asia Media and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China, shared that CTW China will possess powerful differentiators that stem from the choice of topics, profile of invited speakers and targeted audience. “Even though CTW China is established on a proven and tested format, the unique valuable proposition of the show will be 100% focused deliberately on the Chinese market,” explained Darren Ng, Managing Director, TTG Asia Media. “Participants will be able to benefit immensely from discussions on salient issues key to Chinese corporations, as well as expert advice from experienced practitioners operating in the same environment and facing the same market forces and challenges.” Ng continued.

Co-organiser Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China’s Managing Director, Albert Zhong added, “We are very excited about being a part of an initiative that will help boost the sophistication and prospects of China’s business travel market. There is no doubt that China will be the world’s largest procurer in this sector. China is currently ranked number 2 in global business spending, and at its annual growth projection of 14% (second only to India), the country’s business travel spend is on track to surpass the US (currently ranked number 1) by 2017.” Further elaborating on the brand’s motivation behind this collaboration, Zhong said, “As a global leader in business travel and meetings and events management solutions, we believe that CTW China is the perfect outreach platform for us to reinforce Carlson Wagonlit Travel China’s reputation and credibility in the marketplace. Being one of the first-movers in this aspect gives us the opportunity to grow alongside the industry. We already have a good base, and CTW China will take us even further in this regard.”

Positioned as the definitive education event for China’s corporate travel industry, CTW China is also set to be the choice platform for suppliers of corporate travel products and services to connect and engage with the industry.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel China also took the opportunity to announce the launch of its subsidiary, CTMS (Beijing) Tour Company Limited, which is centered on meetings and events planning, and compliance management.

CTW China will take place as part of the Shanghai Business Events Week 2015, and will also be held in conjunction with IT&CM China from 14 to 16 April 2015.