Dear Friend of ICVB,

As you will see from the contents of this issue of the ICVB News, we have had a very active three months and are particularly pleased to have had another important opportunity to share our experience and expertise with another destination in Turkey. Erzurum. ICVB played a central role in helping Erzurum to prepare for and present its bid to host the 24 Winter Universiade and, while the results were not what everyone had hoped for, Erzurum has gained valuable experience and is now the favored candidate to host the 25th Winter Universiade in 2011.

ICVB also took part in the Turkish-Belgian Trade Association (TBTD) economic mission, informing attendees about the advantages of Istanbul and Turkey as a tourism and conference destination as well as the contributions made by ICVB's successful activities in Brussels to market Istanbul internationally.

We have continued to be active in organizing Turkey's presence at some of the world's most important conference and incentive trade fairs, most recently EIBTM in Barcelona. Even more importantly, we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming a number of new ICVB members. With their support and the on-going support of our long-standing members, we will continue to promote Istanbul more effectively around the world, as befits one of the world's top conference and incentive destinations. Sincerely,

Yılmaz Tecmen
ICVB Chairman