The International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) recently held its Annual General Meeting at The Travel Club in London where it elected its 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. We look forward to a successful year with fresh enthusiasm to fully support our members, new members and the industry in general.”
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.
Maria Badakh, Head of Sales ITE Group, was elected as president of ITTFA, following her year as Vice President. Nutley commented on the appointments, “We are confident that Maria’s experience and enthusiasm will prove to be a great support to the Association and help steer it through another successful year. Her specific expertise in working with shows in developing Eastern European markets will be of particular importance as we look at increasing our support for organisers starting up new shows.”
Ms Badakh 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.”
Zeljka Tomljenovic, ITE Group Travel Division Events & Sales Manager, was elected Vice President and will also take on the role of treasurer. She commented, “As organizer of one of ITTFA’s largest events – MITT (Moscow), ITE has long been a supporter of ITTFA and is aware of the important role that the Association plays in supporting trade events such as ours. This is particularly relevant in the current financial climate when collective support can reap benefits on many fronts.”
Antonio Dell’Aquilano of TTG Italia Events, who has led the association previously as President, will take up the post of Industry Consultant and Spela Bratun, Project Manager Alpe-Adria, Tourism & Leisure Fair, will help support the association via the role of Sponsorship 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.
