ICOC Chairman Yalçintas Elected
President of TUGEV and ICVB

The Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC), Murat Yalçintas, was elected President of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Development and Education Foundation (TUGEV) and also of the Istanbul Convention Visitors Bureau (ICVB), which is a subsidiary of TUGEV.

At the meeting of the Board of Directors of TUGEV, held on March 9, 2006, Yilmaz Tecmen, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TUGEV and President of ICVB, asked Murat Yalçintas to accept the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors of TUGEV, a position he had previously held himself.

Murat Yalçintas, who took over the Presidency of TUGEV and ICVB from Yilmaz Tecmen, thanked Mr. Tecmen, stating that Tecmen would continue to make valuable contributions to Turkish tourism and the conference tourism industry as the Vice-President of both TUGEV and ICVB.

Murat Yalçintas, the newly-elected ICVB president, pointed out that the Bureau, especially in its role of bringing international conferences to Istanbul, has achieved a great deal and added: “It is not just ours but everyone's responsibility to help make Istanbul one of the world's leading conference cities. It will be my mission during my term to work with the public, local officials and NGOs to create the synergy necessary for Istanbul to take its rightful position among the world's top destinations. Generating this synergy will strengthen both ICOC and the Turkish tourism industry.”

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ICVB Attended 22nd Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention

The 22nd annual edition of the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention was organized on March 13-16, 2006, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Miami Beach Convention Center was also hosted 2 nd International Super Yacht Symposium on March 15 and 16.

Featuring a full slate of conference sessions and the industry's largest exhibition, the world's largest cruise industry gathered at Seatrade. The event offered stimulating content in the conference rooms and the latest products and services on the trade show floor.

Among the 950 exhibiting companies in the three-day exhibition found the latest technologies, products and services for cruise ships. The 150,000-net-square-foot trade show was organized into sections and pavilions for the convenience of cruise line executives and buyers.

54 sqm Turkey pavilion is organized by the cooperation of Turkish Tourist Office in New York and ICVB. Turkey is also promoted by Turkish Airlines, The Port of Kusadasi-Ege Ports, Istanbul Tourism Shipping Inc., Swissôtel The Bosphorus – Istanbul, The Marmara Hotels & Residences.

Flyers giving information about Turkish destinations, Turkey stand exhibitors and stand activities were distributed during the fair. One week before the event, ICVB circulated the e-mail campaign to buyers to invite them to Turkey stand and inform them about stand activities.

Turkey stand attracted attention of buyers who were hosted with Turkish wines and cheese, Turkish souvenirs, bracelets with lucky eye and Turkey collar pins. Lucky buyers won a prize of world famous Turkish carpets sponsored by Harem Hali at the draw organized every day of the convention.