NASHVILLE ROCKS IBTM AMERICA 2016

NASHVILLE ROCKS IBTM AMERICA 2016

ibtm america held last week at Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort Nashville, exclusively connected the US and international meetings industry through a mix of business, education and networking. Kicking off with Discovery Day, where over 500 attendees experienced downtown Music City and the legendary Honky Tonks, the private event continued at the Gaylord Convention Center with some 5000 one-to-one mutually matched business appointments and 18.5 hours of networking opportunities over 2.5 days.

Tailored to the US market, the event was dominated by North America, Mexico, Canada and Caribbean suppliers that included hotel brands, convention centers, incentive destinations, CVB’s, NTO’s, Cruise Lines and tech suppliers. Each exhibitor has an all inclusive, uniformed Meeting Pod, which just requires their own branding so that clients just show up, sit down and start their business meetings.

First tier cities this year included NYC & Company, Greater Miami CVB, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and Detroit Metro CVB as well as Great Fort Lauderdale the destination for ibtm america in 2017. Some 2/3rd of exhibitors returned from their success at last year’s event.

Alex Michaels, Director of Sales for Virginia’s Blue Ridge “loved the privacy of the meeting pods” adding “We have been non-stop since Wednesday. I have really had a chance to have enough time with each buyer to explain about us and who we are and all in private. The mutual match has given me real appointments and planners who are already interested in us. I really believe I have met some great contacts for my business”.

This year’s international exhibitors included Costa Del Sol Convention Bureau, Valencia Region Tourist Board, Busan, Visit Flanders (Belgium), India Tourist Office, Turespana and Dubai Business Events.

Ishrat Alam – Tourist Information Officer, India Tourism confirmed the success of the event: “We have attended every year since the beginning of this event. Last year we picked up many leads but 2 of them will definitely turn into business in 2017. We know that any MICE business leads can take up to 2-3 years to make happen, but this has always proved to be a great ROI and it has given us the opportunity to really explain our experiential high end incentive and meetings products face to face. The mutual match appointment system is very good indeed.”

The Hosted Buyer program included 86% domestic USA and 14% international, (based on the research among exhibitors) including Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UAE and UK.
Exhibitor’s had requested planners from the corporate sector, as well as incentive planners as their priority – the first time this sector was at the event – associations and agency made up the rest.

Thomas L Fagan, Jr, PE, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) said of his attendance: “We are the world’s largest not for profit association. In 2015 we had 1300 meetings worldwide. I am here looking at various hotels, venues and CVB’s and have found a number of opportunities. I had 18 serious appointments of which some will wind up getting business placed. We are looking at events up to 5 years ahead – it used to be 10 years but the lead time has now shortened. I have been to ibtm america for the past 3 years – it works for me”.

The top 5 products of interest identified by Hosted Buyers for their appointments this year were Conference and meeting venues, resorts and spas, destinations and non-hotel special event venues. Planners represented blue chip companies such as American Express, Colgate-Palmolive, National Association of African American Studies, Global Cynergies, Wells Fargo, The International Ecotourism Society, Herballife International, Maritz and many others.

The show floor had new features this year with a focus on Technology, displayed around a central hub that also enabled more connections to be made over breaks in the appointments schedule, the TechCollective showcased latest and emerging technologies, from start-ups and entrepreneurs highlighting new ideas for the industry through live demonstrations.

“Building a community for this industry is a key ingredient to the success of ibtm america and this year Nashville bought everyone together for a southern style US meetings experience. The mutual match system of appointments was refined still further to produce the highest quality of real business prospects, resulting in some great praise from our exhibitors and buyers. Designing a system that allows both buyers and suppliers to choose who they want to meet with from the outset of their journey with us, and then making this happen has produced some remarkable results and 100% of appointments that each party wanted to have for their diary – nearly 30 over the 1.5 business days”.

Continuing to rotate ibtm america to the country’s top meetings cities, The Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale will be the home of the event next year. Having received top honors from TripAdvisor and Orbitz, the property was also named a top 100 Meeting Hotel by Cvent.

ibtm america will take place from June 14 – 16 2017
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#ibtm #ibtmameric #MICE #MICEnews #IEEE #CVB #NTO

IBTM AMERICA 2016 SET TO PROVIDE VALUABLE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP OF GLOBAL HOSTED BUYERS

IBTM AMERICA 2016 SET TO PROVIDE VALUABLE BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP OF GLOBAL HOSTED BUYERS

81% of Hosted Buyers looking to place business internationally 

ibtm america 2016 (www.ibtmamerica.com), taking place from June 15-17 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, has confirmed an impressive global line-up of Association, Agency and Corporate Hosted Buyers attending from the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Asia and more.

Registered Hosted Buyers have confirmed their product interests among exhibitors, with hotels and conference/meeting venues being the top two picks. Other event products to make the list include special event venues, Destination Management Companies, resorts and spas, and destinations. Among those buyers the two most popular event types were conferences/meetings and incentives, followed by exhibitions, conventions/congresses, staff training/motivation, and business and luxury travel.

Jaime McAuley, Event Director, ibtm america commented, “We have a great line-up of Hosted Buyers this year; not only do we have elite buyers with proven budget and business to place attending from all around the world, but we have a diverse group with a variety of products interests and this will increase the opportunity for our exhibitors to make connections at the event. And with our 100% mutually matched appointment system, we can ensure that all of our Hosted Buyers and exhibitors are only attending relevant, valuable appointments likely to result in business opportunities and ROI.”

Hosted Buyers have also indicated the regions in which they are most interested in placing business, with 98% of buyers looking to place business in the US and 81% interested in placing business internationally. Domestically buyers placed particular emphasis on wanting to meet exhibitors from the Western US (98%) and the Southeast (97%). Internationally buyers were most interested in Canada, Latin America, and Europe.

McAuley commented, “These preferences are really on trend with where the industry is right now. Rob Davidson, Managing Director of MICE Knowledge, predicted in his 2015 Trends Report that 2016 will see an increase across all meeting types in North America, so it’s not surprising that both our regional and international buyers are looking to place business in Canada and the US. Davidson also noted how Latin America’s close business and cultural ties to the US, which make it especially attractive for US-based meeting groups, have played a large role in the Latin American MICE industry’s growth, so we expect this to continue to be a region of interest among our Hosted Buyers.”

Some of the Hosted Buyers attending this year include Philips (Brazil), Rimac Seguros y reaseguros (Peru), Hurricane Action Sports (Canada), Montreal Event Planner (Canada), Lenovo (China), GECK’O Incentives & Events (Germany), Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (India), Fullteam Networks (Mexico), TUSExpo BV (Netherlands), Decast Group (Russian Federation), ABB INDUSTRIES (UAE), Ultima Media (UK), Smartfocus (UK), Freestyle Football Federation (UK), the American Association for Cancer Research (US), AT&T (US), Wells Fargo (US), Corning Inc. (US), The Geological Society of America (US), and Nature’s Way (US).

Veronica Carletto, Project Manager, Fourth Wall Events, who will attend as a Hosted Buyer commented, “My objective is to learn about new hotels and services that I can share with my organisation and offer our clients. I am interested in looking at the 5* luxury brands in Europe and Asia.”

Blair Monica, Marketing Event Project Manager, GM Financial, also a Hosted Buyer for 2016 commented, “We plan events all over the US and Canada. I am interested in looking at different locations that can hold larger groups, what’s new with technology, meeting design, what’s new with exhibit design and displays and how to elevate our meetings and events.”

Fred Williams, Conference Manager, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, also a Hosted Buyer for 2016 commented, “Face-to-face meetings are critical to understanding city and hotel updates as well as special offers. Cities, hotels, airlines, audiovisual, and exhibition companies are the types of exhibitors I wish to meet.”

Joost de Meyer, Chairman & CEO, First Incentive Travel, also a Hosted Buyer for 2016, commented, “I am the Chairman & CEO with First Incentive Travel. I lead a team of experienced project managers. We work all over the USA for incentive groups coming to the USA, Mexico and Caribbean from mainly Europe and the rest of the world. I am interested in hotels, DMC’s, CVB’s, cruise lines, etc.”

To hear what more Hosted Buyers have to say, please visit:http://www.ibtmamerica.com/Media/galleries/Testimonials/

For further information about exhibiting, please visit http://www.ibtmamerica.com

 

Tech start-ups to compete for business boost at IMEX in Frankfurt

Tech start-ups to compete for business boost at IMEX in Frankfurt
Applications now open for #IMEXpitch

Event technology start-ups have the opportunity to showcase their products to an audience of event professionals at IMEX in Frankfurt this year.

Applications are now open for the #IMEXpitch, culminating in five finalists competing in a live head-to-head pitch competition at the show.
Each company has five minutes to put forward its product, including the concept, features and unique selling points, to a live audience of up to 60 attendees. The winner, chosen by an expert judging panel, will receive a free space on the Technology Pavilion at IMEX in Frankfurt 2017 in addition to press and marketing exposure.
Last year’s winner was InitLive, a software company from Ottawa, Canada, which pitched its all-in-one software solution for event staff and volunteer management on mobile devices.
The six judges are all individuals who work with event technology on a daily basis and are heavily involved in the latest developments. They will select the winner at the #IMEXpitch final held at the show. The selection criteria covers ease of implementation and practicality, innovation and sustainability among other factors. Meetings industry professional, Christine Fuchs from the social fox, one of the judges and self-confessed ‘social media marketing geek’, explains:
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing great ideas and fun tools which are self-explanatory in usage and real assets for meetings and events. Major digital trends like augmented reality, the internet of things or full service / market research apps are already changing the meetings industry as we know it. In general, developments in the digital world will never be as slow as they are today. Therefore, we need ideas and tools that are fast forward and flexible. So I’d be curious to see ideas functioning like a chameleon: swiftly adapting to the surroundings to perfectly fit in!”
This competition is part of the IMEX education program and will take place at the Inspiration Hub on 19 April 2016 at 16:00.
The deadline for applications is 1 March 2016. For further details see www.imex-frankfurt.com/imexpitch

 

THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

PRESS RELEASE
THE OMAN CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTRE TEAM KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR AT PCMA CONVENING LEADERS IN CANADA

Muscat, January 12th 2016 – The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre’s (OCEC) international promotional campaign continued in 2016 by participating in the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Convening Leaders held in Vancouver, Canada. During this highly influential event, the OCEC Team connected with key decision-makers and meeting planners and shared the tremendous possibilities of Oman as an emerging destination and the OCEC as the region’s business events hub.

“The OCEC has a unique partnership with PCMA and the development of strong relationships with professional associations is one of the cornerstones of our business development plan,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC General Manager. “We were able to leverage existing links and create new connections with associations representing some of the key industries for Oman’s 2020 economic diversification strategy. It was also a great opportunity to update the PCMA Oman International Advisory Board on the final preparations for our fast approaching launch in September 2016.”

The OCEC General Manager went on to explain that there is a great deal of interest in the business events industry in Oman as a country and the OCEC as a venue. According to McCartney, various elements prompting that interest include the Centre’s phenomenal facilities, the Sultanate’s outstanding natural assets, as well as the incredible wealth of intellectual capital in a variety of sectors and the opportunities of knowledge exchange it offers.

Richard L. Baltimore III, Adviser to the Omran Board of Directors, the Sultanate’s master developer of the OCEC, commented that “Networking among this prime concentration of over 4,000 senior international business meeting industry leaders afforded a prime opportunity to introduce and promote the Sultanate of Oman as a serious contender within the growing global convention and business events industry. Although less well known than some other established destinations, I found both North American and other attendees to be very receptive to representations about the historical richness and uniqueness of Oman and its people. Indeed, the OCEC will herald a wide range of new opportunities and serve as an ideal vehicle to showcase the Sultanate’s immense intellectual capital, while acting as a catalyst to promote economic growth, research innovation and entrepreneurship.”

In addition to various meetings with industry representatives from around the world, the OCEC Team also met with Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. The company recently acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest hotel combined company with 1.1 million rooms in more than 5,500 hotels in over 100 countries. The new five-star hotel, situated at the heart of the OCEC precinct will be operated under the JW Marriott brand.

With more than 6,500 members and 50,000 customers, PCMA is the world’s leading organisation and definitive authority for meetings and event professionals. In 2014, the OCEC signed a strategic partnership agreement with PCMA and a group of 13 influential, international buyers visited Oman to experience the destination first-hand and participate in the inaugural PCMA Oman Advisory Summit- the first Green Field destination outside of North America to stage such a summit. A second PCMA Oman Advisory Summit will take place at the OCEC in September 2016.

AT IMEX AMERICA – TODAY: Tuesday, October 13

AT IMEX AMERICA

TODAY: Tuesday, October 13
AND TOMORROW: Wednesday, October 14

HIGHLIGHTS
Issued at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Tuesday, October 13, 2015

TODAY
New exhibitors: When the show floor opened, there were more than 80 new booths with exhibitors from all corners of the world, including Guam and Taiwan from Asia, Hungary and Zagreb from Europe, Paraguay and Ecuador from Latin America, plus Cincinnati, Oklahoma and Wisconsin from the U.S., to name just a few.

How was today at IMEX America for you?
Charlene Lopez, National Account Manager for Atlanta, said, “It has been a terrific start, with not only good appointments but also quite a few unexpected visitors with real business to place.”

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager of the Guam Visitors Bureau, a first time exhibitor, said, “This is awesome. We’ve already achieved two of our objectives because we have met two major MICE organizations from China that are arranging inspection visits and we also made a good contact in Brazil. We’re really pleased that we are here.”

New education features: The MPI keynote speaker, sponsored by Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, was magician Tim David who talked about Human Connection – A Lost Art in a Noisy World.

Karla Rodriguez-Ruiz, group sales manager, The Luxury Collection, Los Angeles, said, “Tim’s keynote was amazing. I can now identify what I can do to develop relationships and have some tips to put into practice, particularly in my own presentation today.”

Every day in the tech area on the show floor, a new resource, TECH Nexus, is providing buyers with hands-on experience of the latest technologies.

Kimberly Corbin, CPM, CDS, Conference Direct, said: “The TECH Nexus session I participated in was very helpful. The type of technology and information shared here will help me as a planner and the CFOs of my clients. This is my fourth IMEX America: I get all of my RFPs done for the year here.”

The #IMEXpitch Event Technology Startup competition took place at the Inspiration Hub. Five short-listed companies pitched their ideas to industry experts. The winner was loopd.

TOMORROW
IMEXrun Las Vegas: New for this year, early on Wednesday morning, is the IMEXrun Las Vegas – inspired by Rio de Janeiro – a 5K street circuit taking in part of the famous Las Vegas Strip, starting at 6:30 a.m. from the Venetian Bridge.

Education: At the Inspiration Hub, the MPI keynote speaker, sponsored by Visit Florida, will be Josh Tickell explaining all about Managing and Marketing to the Future of Generation Y.

IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum: More than 100 conference and event industry students from across the USA, Canada and Mexico will learn about the industry from experienced professionals and enjoy numerous networking opportunities.

The renowned Euro Party begins at 4:00 p.m. in the European section of the show floor.

MPI Foundation Rendezvous takes place in the evening at Drai’s Beach Club and Nightclub with spectacular panoramic views of the Strip.

PRESS CENTER – sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The onsite Press Center is located on Level 1 – Casanova Room 501 – The Venetian® | The Palazzo® Congress Center.

It offers: free WiFi, laptops and work stations, latest news from the show, its exhibitors and partners, mobile phone charging point, complimentary refreshments.

You can reach the PR team during the show at the Press Center or on the following numbers:
Press Center Onsite – (702) 691-8608
Emma Ward – (214) 883-7586
Jen McNeil – (214) 587-3819
Chris Lewis – (469) 404-6690

Students set to shine at IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum

Students set to shine at IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum
More than 100 conference and event industry students from across the USA, Canada and Mexico are set to gain a foothold in the competitive meetings sector at the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum.

The Forum takes place during IMEX America, held in Las Vegas on 13 – 15 October, and is set to deliver a comprehensive educational programme with inspiring sessions by experienced industry professionals, meetings with selected exhibitors on the show floor and numerous networking opportunities.

Meetings industry leaders will share their expertise on topics including the future of the meetings industry, strategies for success in a global, culturally diverse economy and tactics to establish and advance a professional career in today’s competitive environment.

Students will gain insight from experts including representatives from Women In Travel (WINiT) who will discuss their own stories about how confidence is a key component to success in their session ‘The Confidence Code’. ‘How and Why to Plan for a More Sustainable Event’ will be explored by Aaron Elliott, Project Manager at MeetGreen. In an interactive keynote, Sam McNeill, Creative Director at Song Division, will explain how music and song-writing can help to create a culture of innovation, increasing happiness and productivity of project groups. Tyra Hilliard, Speaker and Educator at Hilliard Associates will run through the potentially daunting transition from college to the real world in Five Things Your Professors Haven’t Told You about the Real World.

Experts from across The Venetian® l The Palazzo® Las Vegas, which is sponsoring the Forum, will deliver a session on leadership as well as hosting a career development reception and a ‘behind the scenes’ backstage tour.

During a visit to the IMEX America show floor, supported by IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) and coordinated by M.T. Hickman (Director of Travel, Exposition and Meeting Management Program at Richland College) and George Fenich (Professor at School of Hospitality Leadership at East Carolina University), the budding event and meeting planners will have appointments with selected exhibitors.

More than 110 Forums have taken place and around 6,500 students have passed through the programme since its launch in 2003. A recent survey of participants showed that 90% of students are “likely to enter the industry as a result of attending” a Forum. Many former participants have gone on to enjoy further career and education opportunities in the industry, as Gabriela Herrera, alumni of Universidad de Monterrey (Mexico) who attended the 2014 Forum, explains:
“Thanks to the Future Leaders Forum, I not only learned more about the meetings sector but was able to meet some of the key people in the industry. After making contact with selected companies, I was offered an interview and, following graduation, now have a job at Meeting Incentive Experts. I work as Operations Coordinator, based at its Cancun office and look after community management and social media among other activities.”

Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, adds: “The expert-led education programme coupled with the glowing feedback we regularly receive from participants show the Future Leaders Forum to be an outstanding career development opportunity. It’s a chance to gain a real insight into the industry, meet some of the best in the business as well as network with peers. The Forum enables students to hit the ground running in their chosen career.”

The IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum is a year-round programme which is jointly run by IMEX, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and MCI. Final year students studying meetings and conventions, tourism or hospitality at university or college are invited to attend a Future Leaders Forum. Forums typically take place as part of a larger meetings industry conference or trade show in 12 or more locations around the world every year.

The IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum takes place at IMEX America held in Las Vegas 13 -15 October and is sponsored by The Venetian® |The Palazzo® and Luxor Las Vegas.

For further details see www.imexamerica.com/events/forums/future-leaders-forum/

IAPCO at the cutting EDGE

IAPCO at the cutting EDGE
The new educational offering “EDGE from IAPCO” was recently launched at IMEX.
No longer will the Annual Seminar be limited to Switzerland, the dynamic educational seminar will now be offered worldwide with three seminars per year in different regions.
EDGE – Experts in Dynamic Global Education – will provide education at three different levels: Level 1 – new to the industry with 2-3 years’ experience; Level 2 – intermediate, 5 or more years’ experience in this your chosen career path; Level 3 – senior project or departmental manager, or business manager/owner. Seminars that provide people with that edge they need in a global competitive environment.
Focused on professional congress organisation these seminars will replace the traditional Wolfsberg Seminar and will play an important role in international MICE education for the PCOs, Meeting Planners and the wider meetings industry. As hosts of the seminars, Destination Partners in IAPCO Education will be able to participate in the programme, showcasing their destination and bringing an international flavour to EDGE.

There are three EDGE programmes already in place: Auckland, New Zealand, 24-26 August 2015; Copenhagen, Denmark, 18-21 January 2016; Whistler, Canada, 25-27 May 2016.
Cutting EDGE seminars will now be delivered worldwide, affordable and accessible. Are you standing on the EDGE of the future?

MORE ABOUT IAPCO EDGE SEMINARS
About IAPCO: Meeting Quality
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) was founded in 1968, is registered in Switzerland and represents today more than 120 professional organisers, meeting planners and managers of international and national congresses, conventions and special events from 41 countries. IAPCO members [2014] organise in excess of 7075 meetings annually, totalling some 2.861 million delegates and representing an economic impact in the region of 4.63 billion euros. IAPCO is committed to raising standards of service among its members and other sectors of the meetings industry. Today IAPCO membership offers a unique quality assurance, since entry into membership of IAPCO is by meeting strict criteria and by continuous quality assessment. The high quality standards are secured by means of continuing education and interaction with other professionals. The Annual Seminars, The Meetings MasterClass and the Annual Meeting & General Assembly of its members are the highlight events of IAPCO.

For further information, please contact:
IAPCO Head Office: Brambles House, Colwell Road, Freshwater, PO40 9SL, UK Email: info@iapco.org www.iapco.org

Aquila Yachts on Display at Singapore Yacht Show

Aquila Yachts on Display at Singapore Yacht Show

Clearwater, FL (April 17, 2015) – Sino Eagle Yacht Company is proud to announce their participation in the 2015 Singapore Yacht Show. This is the second year that the yacht builder will be attending the show, displaying one of their newest luxury power catamarans, the Aquila 48.

Aquila Yachts represents the newest and most exciting yacht evolution on the market today offering practicality and luxury with trend setting innovation, quality and custom designs for international markets. With strong international sales in Singapore, Australia, China, New Caledonia, Cyprus, British Virgin Islands, Canada and the United States, Aquila is quickly becoming a premier choice for luxury yacht buyers around the world.

Aquila’s global growth and success can be attributed to their exceptional foresight in predicting market specific needs with customization options for worldwide consumers. Specifically, this month they are introducing the Aquila 48 Lan Kwai Fong Special Edition to the Asian market.

This yacht has been designed to appeal to the Asian buyer and answers cultural desires for their yachting lifestyle. Aptly named Lan Kwai Fong, this special edition of the Aquila 48 delivers the energetic nightlife the name depicts. The main entertaining deck includes numerous seating areas, a karaoke machine, sound system and multiple flat screen televisions. A catering galley is located in the port hull, an intimate salon in the starboard hull and two resting cabins occupy the forward areas in the lower deck. The oversized flybridge with evening lighting features, seating and a superb sound system allows the party to continue outside under the stars.

“We are very excited to return to this distinguished Yacht Show again this year. The Singapore Yacht Show has a distinct focus on the prominent, high profile superyachts that are the most glamorous motor yachts in the world. Our luxury customization designs create an unparalleled luxury power catamaran for international consumers, making our yachts a natural fit for the show attendee’s discerning tastes” said Frank Xiong, CEO of Sino Eagle Group.

Construction of Aquila power catamarans began in 2012 through a partnership between Sino Eagle Group and MarineMax, the world’s largest power boat retailer. Then through collaboration with development, design and manufacturing firms including J&J Design Group and Seaway, the team set out to develop a new, purebred power cat unlike anything in the marketplace today.

This evolution in power catamarans, a fusion of European, American and Asian innovation includes 38’, 44’ and 48’ models bringing an entirely new perspective to the private ownership and charter markets, and is quickly becoming the choice of the world’s leading Marine charter and boating lifestyle companies.

Aquila Yachts will be on display throughout the show at berth B07.

ibtm arabia delivers new format MICE event for the Gulf Region

ibtm arabia delivers new format MICE event for the Gulf Region

International Hosted Buyers from 36 countries representing key and influential planners of MICE business have descended on Abu Dhabi for an exclusive closed door one-to-one meeting format in a revamped ibtm arabia (formerly GIBTM).

Opening at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi today, the event will be the only one in the region to introduce international buyers from Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East, all representing leading corporations, associations, and agencies, to a mix of suppliers from the region and overseas.

With twice as many exhibitors as GIBTM 2014, 24 will be participating for the first time. There will also be 5 new countries represented including Scotland, Ethiopia, Japan, Mexico and Canada.

“ibtm arabia’s successful introduction is an endorsement of the strength of Abu Dhabi’s MICE proposition and proves we have evolved an established industry event to make it more relevant for delegates, buyers and exhibitors,” said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, a division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

The new exhibition format provides a platform for Abu Dhabi’s MICE sector to introduce new products and services, and present their products to industry experts specialising in a number of diverse fields such as international corporate groups and the expanding local wedding business, and promote packages to the local and GCC markets.

The “new” event brings everyone together for three days during which they will participate in “Discovery Day” where both buyers and suppliers get a taste of Abu Dhabi, and the experiences it offers for the MICE industry, followed by the opportunity to attend the ibtm arabia Knowledge Forum giving inspiration from two thought provoking speakers. Two days of business will follow, where over 3000 appointments will be held between buyers and suppliers with a diary of up to 30 appointments for each of them, plus networking and social events will bring everyone together.

“The significance of ibtm arabia is fundamental to the continuing growth of the MICE sector and has been built on the success of GIBTM. This new format however, creates a community for this industry, and for the first time everyone will work, learn and network together giving endless opportunities to meet, connect and do business as well as make new friends. ibtm arabia offers real exclusivity and with the quality of both buyers and suppliers, matched to have real influence on each other, we believe this new formula can enhance the experience of all our attendees,” said Lois Wilcox, Exhibition Manager ibtm arabia.

Highlights of ibtm arabia include: Discovery Day, Knowledge Forum, Pre-scheduled appointments, 9 networking events.

For further information please visit www.ibtmarabia.com

 

LEADING INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO ATTEND EIBTM

LEADING INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS TO ATTEND EIBTM
MY ASSOCIATION | MY CLUB ATTRACTS GLOBAL ATTENTION

OKTOBER 2014 – A new initiative launched for the Association Sector by EIBTM has garnered support from the industry across the world and attracted a global representation of Buyers who are now registered to attend EIBTM 2014. My Association | My Club was announced in the summer to give a more flexible option to an Association Planner’s business and networking agenda at this year’s event in Barcelona from 18-20 November.

Association Buyers with average budgets between US$1m & US$5m and some as high as US$20m, have joined the programme which will see 20 countries represented including US, China, UK, Canada, Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France. The key elements of My Association | My Club have been designed in consultation with Association Planners through research and a dedicated Focus Group meeting.

Commenting on the new approach to the Association sector, Patrick Debus, Permanent Secretary World Federation of Consuls said: “I can only congratulate the EIBTM Team for having launched “MY ASSOCIATION / MY CLUB“, this new initiative is fully answering and definitively taking more care of the Association Planner’s expectations and I can only congratulate the team for such a useful and highly appreciated concern.”

Another participant from the Association Focus Group commented: “The new My Association | My Club programme is unique, as it is specifically tailored to the Association Executive, allowing optimal networking while offering maximal flexibility. The Club Lounge on the show floor and the Educational Sessions will allow to maximise interactions with fellow Executives and Exhibitors. No doubt this will enhance the return on investment of Exhibitors as well as Association Buyers.”

Richard Holmes, International Director of Meetings of International League against Epilepsy, added: “I am delighted to see that many of the suggestions from the Association Focus Group have been taken on board and incorporated into the planning of EIBTM 2014. By hosting Buyers at the same hotel and benefits such as the Association Hub, I expect to have greater opportunities to meet with other Association Buyers whom I might not get a chance to catch up with on the show floor. I hope that more flexible scheduling will allow me to maximise my limited time, meeting with more partners and suppliers at the show.”

Priority has been given to “flexibility” a key request that came out of the research. Each Association Planner can now control their own itinerary, through choosing what they do, allowing time to explore the show, choose their own meetings and appointments and add to them as they wish in their own Association Hub – a dedicated Club Lounge on the show floor. With dedicated networking, and their own host hotel, the Association Club also means that the attendees get to be together throughout their attendance at EIBTM 2014.

Whilst the Association Planners will continue to have their own dedicated education sector sessions, they will also have the flexibility to attend any of the EIBTM Knowledge Programme, defining which best suit their own business – another request that was made from those who participated in the research.

“We are delighted by the response from the international Association sector, since we announced the launch of My Association | My Club. It was clear from the Focus Group held to determine and discuss what they wanted from their industry event, that we needed to think big and make some fundamental changes. We have, and we hope that EIBTM 2014 will be exactly what they want from their stay with us in Barcelona, and that our suppliers will obviously benefit as well from this more flexible approach,” said Graeme Barnett, EIBTM Senior Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“More than ever, EIBTM is definitively the key Event for Associations Meeting Planners to meet the World, and their world, in the most enjoyable and fruitful conditions,” added Debus.

For more information on My Association | My Club, please go to: http://www.eibtm.com/Hosted-Buyers/Dedicated-Programmes/My-Association-My-Club

To find out more about the Hosted Buyer Programme and to apply for your place, please visit: www.eibtm.com/hbregister

EIBTM 2014 will take place from 18th – 20th November.