IBTM AFRICA PARTNERS WITH MICE ACADEMY TO SUPPORT THE CPD

IBTM AFRICA PARTNERS WITH MICE ACADEMY TO SUPPORT THE CPD
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF EVENT PLANNERS IN AFRICA

Oktober 2014 – IBTM Africa, part of the IBTM Global Events portfolio of meetings industry events, is to partner with the MICE Academy to help support the advancement of the next generation of industry professionals in Africa.

The MICE Academy (www.miceacademy.co.za) has created the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme for all sectors of the events and meetings industry through its subscriber based web portal. IBTM Africa will be giving the first 20 contracted exhibitors at next year’s event, an annual subscription funded by Reed Travel Exhibitions and the IBTM Portfolio of Events. Each of these exhibitors will select a member of their staff to undertake the CPD programme through their subscription.

At the same time, those individuals who will undertake the year’s CPD programme will also be invited to attend the IBTM Africa Forum education sessions as well as the networking events.

Helen Brewer, founder of MICE Academy commented on the importance of this new partnership for the industry in Africa and beyond. “This is a significant partnership in that the added value enhances the international ground swell – underway at this time – of determining the experience and knowledge-base of all individuals practicing within the various sectors of the MICE industry.

“CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the name of the game with more and more seasoned practitioners being tested simply and effectively without leaving their screen with CPD programme accessibility 24/7. Irrespective of the type of established certification programme out there, both acceptance and recertification credits are required in one form or another to gain or retain the specific acronym. Hence whether the Academy’s CPD on-line programme is used as a free-standing credit score accumulation process with recognition and reward or as the most authentic means of credit substantiation for established certification programmes – the MICE Academy’s CPD programme will be a major advantage for IBTM Africa’s exhibitor’s nominated personnel.” She added.

Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Manager for IBTM Africa of the initiative: “We are excited to be partnering with the MICE Academy’s CPD programme which has so many important advantages for the next generation of meeting professionals in this region. The IBTM Global Events portfolio is passionate about its global education programme and empowering individuals with knowledge. IBTM Africa is the most cost effective business platform for African suppliers who are looking to do inbound business from the rest of the world, by helping develop the industry alongside our event, this is the beginning of a journey together.”

The second edition of IBTM Africa taking place in Cape Town (13-15 April) as part of Africa Travel Week, will bring together 60 African suppliers and international buyers for 3 days of business, networking and education.

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Press Release: 2nd May 2014

The first Africa Travel Week taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) got off to a successful start on 28th April with ILTM Africa (International Luxury Travel Market), IBTM Africa (Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings) and WTM Africa (World Travel Market) which starts today, 2nd May. When the show closes tomorrow, the whole week will have delivered to Africa over 6,500 one-to-one meetings providing an impressive economic impact on the continent’s leisure travel, luxury tourism, and the MICE/business travel sector. All three events are subject to an independent ABC audit of statistics after the shows to ensure full transparency for the industry.

“More important than numbers is the impact that these events have had on those involved. The comments from exhibitors, and buyers have shown that Africa Travel Week and all three events are clearly a vital component to this continent’s travel industry and we go into 2015 with the support of the exhibitors and buyers for next year’s event”, says Sugen Pillay, Business Development Director, Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

Suppliers and buyers have praised the three events as an “excellent new opportunity for Africa’s business development, knowledge enhancement and exclusive networking” in the region but with global relevance.

ILTM Africa exhibitor, Matt Biden representing The Royal Portfolio, said the luxury travel show was better than expected. “We love the international aspect to the Hosted Buyer programme. It has even allowed us to put names to so many international faces and after all, being at ILTM Africa has now saved us on the costs of travel to go and see them!”

IBTM Africa Hosted Buyer Daniel Wood, President of the Freestyle Football Federation, United Kingdom, commented, “IBTM Africa has been a fantastic experience for me. We have an unconventional product but we got a lot out of the two days with very productive meetings. The IBTM Forum was informative with some really interesting speakers. It was great to be able to network and chat with local experienced practitioners who can really testify that this is a market that we should invest in for more events and incentives.”

WTM Africa exhibitor William Cook, of Cooks Tours says he is “amazed with the interest he has already seen in the show. My diary is absolutely fully booked and that has never happened before.”

The final event for the inaugural Africa Travel Week, World Travel Market (WTM) Africa, kicked off today, with over 350 exhibiting companies bringing the world to Africa and promoting Africa to the world’s leading source markets over two days.

The culmination of a joint partnership between global events giant Reed Travel Exhibitions and African events specialist Thebe Reed Exhibitions, Africa Travel Week is dedicated to delivering real business opportunities in a focused way over a period of a week, providing a key industry platform that offers all travel industry professionals the chance to engage in real value business conversations, meet new contacts, exchange ideas, share best practice and learn and network in a fresh new environment.

“This is the first time we have ever undertaken to bring all three of our global brands together in one country in one week. Such a powerful business proposition not only shows the travel industry the diversity of this country’s travel offering to the world’s leading source markets, but it gives Africa the opportunity to be a global player in the leisure, business and luxury tourism sectors. We want to thank the City of Cape Town, the CTICC and Wesgro for their partnership and support in launching all three shows. We believe this is a truly unique proposition and this week has already created some staggering business opportunities as well as giving Cape Town its own introduction to many who have not been here before,” said Sugen.

Dates for Africa Travel Week 2015 are:
· ILTM Africa: 13-15 April 2015

· IBTM Africa: 13 – 15 April 2015

· WTM Africa: 15 – 17 April 2015

To find out more about WTM Africa visit www.wtmafrica.com.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

Press Release: 7th January 2014 – BTM Africa (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) confirms significant international buyer interest for first event set to take place from 28-30 April 2014

The rapidly growing demand for meetings industry suppliers within Africa, has been reflected in the unprecedented interest witnessed from International Hosted Buyers applying to attend the first IBTM Africa, (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

David Dodgeon, Green Route, who will attend IBTM Africa with a group of qualified international buyers commented, “Trade shows are one of the most effective ways of obtaining and securing new business. We have supported EIBTM, the flagship event of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio since the early days and we are very pleased to be bringing a group of 16 International Buyers to their new show set to launch in Africa.

“Africa provides a perfect meetings industry destination for a number of reasons. The continent offers a huge contrast in terms of culture and history and is well situated in terms of flight routes and global access. The table-top format which IBTM Africa will offer, will allow us to spend quality one-to-one time with potential clients.”

Part of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Africa Travel Week, IBTM Africa will reflect the core values of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio providing one-to-one business appointments, education and networking over an exclusive tabletop format.

IBTM Africa will match 50 regional exhibitors through a pre-scheduled appointment system with 50 qualified Hosted Buyers from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, all of whom will have proven purchasing power and guaranteed business to place in Africa.

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions, IBTM Africa commented, “We are extremely excited about the launch of IBTM Africa within our IBTM Global Events Portfolio. Africa is emerging rapidly as a destination of choice when it comes to hosting meetings and incentives, with many global associations looking to include Africa in their rotation patterns.”

IBTM Africa will provide the opportunity for 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers including Hotels and Venues, National/State Tourism Organisations and Convention Bureaux, Travel Management Companies, Destination Management Companies, Event Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers, Airlines, Technology, Business Travel and MICE related suppliers to showcase their products to an international audience of Hosted Buyers attending.

Pillai concludes, “ As the world’s largest organiser for meetings and incentive exhibitions, we are committed to providing all of our attendees with the best level of return on investment for their participation. Each international Hosted Buyer attending will participate in a minimum of 36 pre-scheduled business appointments, which will ensure that every supplier attending will achieve a significant amount of opportunities to showcase their products to an international audience.”

For further information, please see www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica. For further Africa Travel Week information, please see www.africatravelweek.com.

CITY OF CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE PARTNERSHIP

CITY OF CAPE TOWN AND THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE PARTNERSHIP

Thebe Reed Exhibitions is delighted to announce that Africa Travel Week comprising ILTM Africa, IBTM Africa and WTM Africa, has received the full backing and support of the Western Cape Province and the City of Cape Town.

The strategic partnership in this long awaited inaugural 3 in 1 travel and tourism event, will ensure the City of Cape Town and the province as a whole can fully engage alongside the organisers to maximize the impact the region will have on the major features, events and experiences that all participants can enjoy during Africa Travel Week.

Africa Travel Week will be managed by the newly formed Thebe Reed Exhibitions in conjunction with Reed Exhibitions, and will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from April 28th to May 3rd 2014. The event will comprise three co-located shows – ILTM Africa, IBTM Africa and WTM Africa, encompassing Africa’s inbound and outbound markets for general leisure travel, luxury tourism, and the MICE/business travel sector.

Citing the benefits such an event can bring to the city, Councillor Grant Pascoe, Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, said: “The benefits of hosting an event of this magnitude are boundless, not only for Cape Town but for the region and the continent. Cape Town will have the world leaders in luxury and business travel on our doorstep for a full week, including some 500 top travel buyers, 4 500 trade visitors, over 200 global media representatives and 2 000 exhibiting personnel. Through Africa Travel Week we are actively looking to position the City as a holistic destination that is more than just tourism. Cape Town is open for conferencing, trade, business meetings, leisure travel and so much more. The event also presents the City with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our new design inspired tourism
products to international buyers in the year that Cape Town celebrates being the World Design Capital 2014.”

Reflecting these sentiments and recognizing the clout that Reed Travel Exhibitions has around the world, the CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy added his endorsement. “WTM is a leader in travel conferencing and exhibitions and it is an honour for Cape Town to host the first WTM Africa. We are looking forward to interacting with trade, exhibitors and buyers from the continent and across the globe. This is also a chance for us to put Cape Town in the spotlight during our fascinating year as World Design Capital 2014 and on the occasion of our marking twenty years of democracy.”

“This event comes at an opportune time in light of the resumption of the center’s expansion plans, which will double the CTICC’s exhibition capacity by 2017. Reed Travel Exhibitions decision to launch into Africa in partnership with Thebe Reed Exhibitions starting with Africa Travel Week will have the effect of raising Cape Town and South Africa’s profile as a leading global exhibition and trade fair destination in the emerging markets”, says CTICC Chief Executive Officer, Rashid Toefy.

The three events during Africa Travel Week will welcome more than 5000 travel and tourism buyers from Africa and beyond to the City of Cape Town and over 700 tourism companies to exhibit from around the globe.

Richard Mortimore, CEO Reed Travel Exhibitions added:“The host city for a Reed Travel Exhibitions’ event is a valuable and strategic partnership to the development and success of our shows. We are therefore delighted to be working alongside the City of Cape Town and also welcome the support we have from Cape Town Tourism. We expect Africa Travel Week to provide a real economic impact for the City through the number of participants we expect across all of our events who will no doubt experience Cape Town as both a business and leisure destination.”

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

EARLY SIGNS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR FIRST IBTM AFRICA
www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Following on from a successful partnership with Kenya Tourism Board, SITE and ICCA that organised the first MICE Seminar to take place in Kenya this month, Reed Travel Exhibitions took the opportunity to update some 50 attendees from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on the upcoming launch of IBTM Africa which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 28-30 April 2014 as part of Africa Travel Week, www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager for IBTM Africa outlined the format of next year’s inaugural event, siting the success of the inaugural IBTM India, which took place in September and was the first 3 day table top event of its kind for the meetings industry in Asia. IBTM Africa will follow this successful format and proven business model that is also used across other Reed Travel Exhibitions’ events. Delivering up to 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers of products and services to the MICE industry through pre-arranged meetings with international Hosted Buyers, this will be the first focused MICE event of its kind in Africa that will also include the IBTM Africa Conference.

Hosted Buyer registration will go live on the IBTM Africa website in December and advance interest has already been significant from international buyers. Through the pre-scheduled appointment system, this event will allow both exhibitors and buyers to mutually match their appointments. Details will soon be announced about the Post Event Tour programme available to selected Hosted Buyers attending IBTM Africa.

Steve McCormick, The Explorer Club, Southern and Eastern Africa was one of the exhibitors at IBTM India and confirmed that they will be part of IBTM Africa as well commented, “India was a first for us and the show was a huge success. The queries and information requested by some quality appointments demonstrated that India is an emerging incentive market interested in Africa. We are also hoping that IBTM Africa will attract global interest in group and incentive travel to The Victoria Falls and the surrounding region”.

IBTM Africa will also feature a half-day conference and seminar programme, with keynote and industry topics.

For further information, please see http://www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica.
www.africatravelweek.com.