The Business Travel Show Asia Pacific 2026 has announced the finalists for its Innovation Faceoff, spotlighting new technology set to shape corporate travel and meetings.
The presentations will take place on 14 April at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, as part of the two-day event running from 14 to 15 April.
Five shortlisted innovators will present their solutions to a panel of judges and a live audience of travel buyers and planners. The competition focuses on emerging tools in AI, sustainability and digital travel management, reflecting shifting priorities across the corporate travel sector.
The finalists include China Smart MICE Group, FCM, Nowadays, Thrust Carbon, and TruTrip. Each will pitch solutions ranging from AI-powered event platforms and emissions tracking tools to integrated travel management systems designed to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
China Smart MICE Group is showcasing an end-to-end digital meeting management system supported by a 40,000-strong execution network. “APAC is our launchpad and growth engine. Home to the world’s fastest-growing business hubs, APAC demands meeting solutions that are innovative and execution-ready. Winning here means proving our model works across diverse markets – then scaling it globally with proven credentials. Winning would validate a decade of building: that true meeting innovation isn’t just software – it is software plus execution, plus compliance, plus sustainability. It would tell the world that Asia is not just adopting innovation but defining it,” said David Chen, Founder & CEO.
FCM is presenting a service-led approach to corporate travel management, combining digital tools with local expertise. “Winning would further strengthen FCM’s position as a service-led technology innovator in APAC business travel – proving that our tech doesn’t just automate, it elevates the human touch. It demonstrates that we’re solving real travel programme pain points by seamlessly blending intelligent technology with on-the-ground expertise – giving travellers the digital experience they expect, backed by the local support they need when things don’t go to plan. Simply put: It positions FCM as the travel management company that’s innovating for better outcomes, not just better features,” said Vicki Parris, MD SEA & Japan.
Nowadays, an AI-powered meetings and events platform, returns to compete after winning the Americas edition in 2025. “Winning would mean a lot. After winning the Innovation Faceoff at the Americas show last year, coming to APAC felt like a natural next step. The competition is strong and the bar is high — and the relationships we built at the Americas show made us even more excited to do it again here. Winning in APAC would be a great signal that the industry globally is ready for AI-powered event and group travel management, and it would help us grow faster in a region we’re already really invested in,” said Anna Sun, CEO.
Thrust Carbon is focusing on sustainability, using emissions data and AI-driven tools to influence travel behaviour. “We’re scaling EngageAI across the travel ecosystem. That means deeper integrations with booking tools and TMC platforms, expanding the range of interventions we can support, and continuing to train the AI on real-world travel behaviour so it becomes smarter over time. The ambition is simple: make lower carbon travel the easiest option for travellers and travel managers everywhere. APAC is a huge priority for us. What is particularly interesting is the travel mix. You’ve got major aviation hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, but also some of the world’s best high-speed rail networks in places like China and Japan. That creates a real opportunity for modal shift,” said Kit Aspen, CEO and Founder.
TruTrip is presenting a digital travel management platform designed to improve decision-making and workflow management. “It would be an honour to win the Innovation Faceoff and a great acknowledgement of the team’s work in building TruTrip. More broadly, it would also validate the direction we believe the industry is heading. Innovation in travel has made huge strides in improving booking experiences, and the next opportunity lies in improving how decisions are made around travel – moving beyond booking tools to smarter systems that guide behaviour and deliver measurable outcomes,” said Hugh Batley, Founder and Managing Director.
The judging panel includes industry leaders from travel, technology and procurement, with representatives from global organisations and previous winners. The session will be held at 09:45 on 14 April in the Knowledge Arena, with the winner announced at 16:00 on 15 April. Attendees will also vote for a People’s Choice award during the presentations.
The Business Travel Show Asia Pacific runs alongside The Meetings Show Asia Pacific and is expected to bring together more than 200 corporate travel buyers and over 50 exhibitors. Airlines, hotels, travel management companies and technology providers will showcase their latest solutions, highlighting the rapid evolution of business travel across the region.
“The Business Travel Show Asia Pacific Innovation Faceoff launched to great success last year as part of our inaugural show. It is a privilege to host one of the leading events for the brightest minds shaping the future landscape of corporate travel in APAC, one of the region’s fastest growing markets. It promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring programme of presentations, and I look forward to welcoming these innovators to the stage next month and learning more about the exciting future of our industry,” said Nelson Khoo, Events Director.
