ICVB TOOK PART İN THE BRUSSELS ECONOMIC MISSION

In the lead up to the December 17th, 2004 EU Summit in Brussels, ICVB took part in the Turkish-Belgian Trade Association (TBTD) economic mission conducted from December 13th - 15th, 2004. During the mission, the Bureau had the chance to meet with international organizations, nongovernment organizations, professional groups and associations, all of which are potential conference organizers, informing them about the advantages of Istanbul and Turkey as conference tourism destinations.

During the mission to Brussels, a delegation headed by Erzurum Governor Celalettin Güvenc, and including Erzurum Metropolitan Municipal Mayor Ahmet Kücükler, Ataturk University President Prof. Dr. Yasar Sütbeyaz, Erzurum Province Youth and Sports Director Fatih Cintimar and Erzurum Chamber of Commerce and Industry Assembly Member Fuat Kulacoglu who, along with ICVB General Manager Handan Boyce and ICVB Marketing and Sales Manager Elif Balcı Fisunoglu, were responsible for Erzurum's bid to host the 24ttl Winter Universiade, met with officials at the Brussels headquarters of the International University Sports Federation (F.I.S. U.). At the meeting with F.I.S. U. representatives headed by the General Secretary of F.I.S.U., the Erzurum delegation expressed the firm commitment of both the Erzurum local government and the Turkish national government to Erzurum's bid to host the Universiade and received input from F.I.S.U. on technical issues regarding the bid .

ICVB Chairman Yilmaz Tecmen, executive committee members and ICVB officials attended a reception given by the Turkish Ambassador, Erkan Gezer, along with Beyoglu Municipality Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Director of External Affairs Selman Gemuhluoglu, the Erzurum Delegation and the F.I.S.U. General Secretary and Winter Games Chairman. At the reception, which was also attended by business leaders, tourism professionals and members of the press, ICVB had the chance to network and continue its exchange of ideas with guests.

During events held as a part of the Economic Mission, ICVB met with representatives of international organizations, non-government organizations, and other potential conference organizers, including professional organizations and associations. In addition, ICVB organized a press conference held at the Brussels International Press Center on December 14th. ICVB Chairman Yilmaz Tecmen was the official spokesman at the press conference with other presentations by ICVB Executive Committee Chairman and Swissotel Istanbul General Manager Jan Chovanec, ICVB Executive Committee Member Dr. Ozen Dalli and ICVB General Manager Handan Boyce. During the press conference, attendees received information about Istanbul's future as a rapidly growing international conference destination, the city's conference and exhibition infrastructure, ICVB's mission and activities, and conferences and other events to be held in Istanbul in 2005 and beyond. After the distribution of press kits, a luncheon was given for members of the press.

That evening a reception organized by ICVB and TBTD was held at the Palais des Beaux Arts de Bruxelles (BOZAR). The reception was held in the gallery where the Mothers, Goddesses and Queen Sultans exhibition, which has been very popular in Brussels, was on display. Attending the reception were Belgian politicians and civil servants, senior executives from international companies based in Belgium, association and federation presidents, Turkish businessmen, tourism professionals and members of the press. In total, nearly 400 people attended the reception at which speeches were made by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas, TBTD Chairman Aykut Eken and ICVB Chairman Yilmaz Tecmen. During the reception, an Istanbul promotional film was shown and at a stand set up by ICVB promotional materials about Istanbul were distributed. The reception also provided ICVB with an opportunity for further meetings with potential conference organizers, including representatives from leading associations, federations and international companies.

On December 15th, ICVB took part in a series of workshops organized by TBTD and, at a luncheon where Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas spoke on the importance of conference tourism, ICVB had the chance to exchange information and ideas with representatives of the Brussels Tourism Bureau.

At a dinner given that evening by Brussels Export, Belgian Consul Thomas Antoine, TBTD Chairman Aykut Eken and ICVB Steering Committee Member Dr. Ozen Dallı all expressed their wish that similar missions would be organized in the coming years.

ICVB has a strong record for bringing international conferences to Istanbul and, with its marketing trip to Belgium, where numerous international organizations 1 non-government organizations and a wide variety of professional organizations and associations, all of which are potential conference organizers, are based, ICVB was able to make a significant contribution to marketing Istanbul abroad, providing information about the facilities and other infrastructure available in Istanbul and Turkey and helping to further improve Istanbul's image.