The International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) recently elected a new executive committee to lead the Association through the coming year.
Tom Nutley, Chairman and founder of ITTFA, comments “All appointments were aimed at strengthening the central administration of ITTFA and providing a firm base for the continued growth of the association across cultural and international boundaries. This year we are delighted to welcome Officers from Italy and the Netherlands, bringing with them fresh ideas and knowledge from their own markets as well as industry expertise.”
ITTFA is dedicated to the continual development of the travel trade show industry, increasing participation and setting high standards worldwide. Recent changes to entry requirements and the annual fee structure mean that membership is more accessible to smaller and developing shows, as well as more established ones. This underlines the primary goals of the Association as it strives to improve travel trade exhibition standards across all markets and help maximize the benefits and levels of professionalism for both visitors and exhibitors.
Committee members begin their term of office this month, being officially sworn in at the AGM in London. They will remain in their respective roles until the next election in a year’s time.
Antonio Dell’ Aquilano, Exhibition & Event Manager of TTG Italia Spa, was elected as president of ITTFA. Nutley commented on the appointments, “We are confident that Antonio’s experience and enthusiasm within both the travel and tourism and exhibition industries will bring new perspective to the association and steer it through another successful year. We look forward to working more closely with him on both new and current projects.”
Mr Dell’ Aquilano commented on the role; “I am delighted to take on this prestigious role and look forward to a successful year ahead. We hope to continue to broaden our membership base, particularly in the area of support and guidance for new and upcoming shows in less established markets and I personally look forward to welcoming members from all corners of the tourism exhibition world. The internationalisation of ITTFA is of value to all our members as we take on new challenges and create more opportunities to share ITTFA’s vision and knowledge with a larger audience.”
Maria Badakh, Event and Sales Director, ITE Group Travel Division, was elected Vice President. She commented, “As organizer of one of ITTFA’s largest events – MITT (Moscow), we have always been conscious of the important role that the Association plays in supporting events like ours. I am looking forward to my new role and I hope that I can contribute to the development of the Association.”
Johan F Lundberg, Exhibition Manager of TUR, who has led the association previously as President, will take up the post of Treasurer. Meanwhile, Zeljka Tomljenovic, Events and Sales Manager ITE Travel Exhibitions, will continue to support the association via a new role of Industry Liaison.
The Association are also pleased to welcome on board Bart Strijker of Vakantiebeurs, who will be taking up the role of Database Officer.
Chairman of ITTFA, Tom Nutley, said that the association had come a long way in the past decade, recognising the huge changes in the travel exhibition industry brought about by the growth in emerging markets, technology and the recognition of the value of the industry in general. He added that in the current, challenging times it is even more important that exhibition organisers work together to promote the benefits and opportunities they offer for all sectors of the travel industry.
