INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS SIGN UP EARLY TO MAXIMISE RETURN ON INVESTMENT AT CIBTM 2014

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS SIGN UP EARLY TO MAXIMISE RETURN ON INVESTMENT AT CIBTM 2014
Early Bird Booking Rates Available until 31 January 2014

Press Release: 9th January 2014 – CIBTM (www.cibtm.com), the leading trade show for meetings and events organisers, venue providers and incentive and business travel services in China and Asia are offering a discounted early bird booking rate for exhibitors returning to the show in 2014, which is set to take place in Beijing (17-19 September).

Jeffrey Xu, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Project Manager CIBTM commented, “The positive response we have received so far is a direct reflection of the success of last year’s event – confirming the quality and range of buyers who attend, the buyer driven, pre-scheduled appointment system and ultimately the business that it generates for both exhibitors and Hosted Buyers”.

Exhibitors who have already rebooked to attend next year’s show include Langham Hospitality Group, The Okura Group and Korea Tourism Organization.

Jack LIM, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing – China, Langham Hospitality Group commented, “As a hotel chain, our return on investment for exhibiting is very important to us. CIBTM successfully provides us with a large scale platform to invest in, as it provides us access to valuable buyer contacts and various other business opportunities in the region and beyond. We have participated in CIBTM for the past five years and we are now looking forward to its future editions.”

Moon Soyenomun, Manager, Korea Tourism Organization commented, “China has been a strategic market for South Korea in recent years and we have witnessed great potential for increased business there. CIBTM has enabled us to form many valuable contacts with global buyers, particularly those from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. CIBTM is also the best place to learn about the Chinese market, to meet up with high level buyers, and to gain knowledge and keep up to date with activity in the region. We are looking forward to another fruitful year in 2014.”

Companies signing up early can benefit from year round exposure on the website (www.cibtm.com) via the official exhibitor directory which provides a supplier guide for all Hosted Buyers attending the show. All exhibitors participating in CIBTM, can also make the most of additional marketing opportunities including press release exposure through their dedicated exhibitor portal and connections via CIBTM social networks including LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Reed Travel Exhibitions are encouraging exhibitors to take advantage of the opportunities available at CIBTM 2014, by confirming their participation early, securing the early bird booking rate which is only available to companies returning their signed contract to exhibit by 31st January 2014. Companies interested in exhibiting at CIBTM 2014 should contact Flora Liu, Sales Manager via email (flora.liu@reedexpo.com.cn) or telephone +86(10)5933 9308

CIBTM 2014 takes place on the 17th – 19th September 2014.
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CIBTM DELIVERS INSIGHTS INTO CHINA MICE BUYERS’ BEHAVIOUR

CIBTM DELIVERS INSIGHTS INTO CHINA MICE BUYERS’ BEHAVIOUR

Key findings identify that venues and destinations outside China must work harder to make communication with the Chinese market easier
The results of the first Chinese Meeting Planners Site Selection Survey were delivered by Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management, University of Greenwich, London – at CIBTM 2013 (www.cibtm.com), which took place in Beijing, earlier in the year.

The seminar presentation was based on the findings generated from an online survey, which investigated the priorities and experiences of meeting planners based in China, in terms of the process of choosing destinations and venues for their events.

Key to the findings of the research was the revelation that 35% of Chinese meeting planners experienced difficulty in getting information about destinations outside China; and 47% experienced difficulty in finding out about venues outside China.

Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management, University of Greenwich, London commented, “This sends an important signal to destinations and venues outside China, it shows us that they must work harder to make communication with the Chinese market easier.”

Other key findings included:
· The four most widely preferred sources for receiving information about potential destinations for events were, in order: educational trips to the destinations; destination marketing organisations’ websites; other meeting planners; and meetings industry exhibitions.

· 50% of the planners reported that they were experiencing lead times getting shorter – a possible consequence of the slowing of the economy that China was experiencing earlier this year.

· Factors influencing destination attractiveness in order of importance included: a pleasant climate, financial issues, both in the sense of economic stability and the possibility of destinations being able to offer financial or in-kind support to meeting planners, and visa requirements of host countries.

· Factors affecting venue attractiveness included: proximity to airport and public transportation closely followed by the provision of ‘fast internet’.

· Key issues identified with venues when organizing events included inflexibility on the part of venues when negotiating elements affecting the price of using their facilities. Respondents also identified that being charged for services such as audio-visual, parking and security (that they think should be included in the basic price) was also a contributor to major annoyance. Venues being generally unyielding in negotiations on price, was also identified as a major factor.

Davidson concluded, “The unique insights provided by this online survey are of considerable interest to all of those venues and destinations in China, Asia and globally that are increasingly targeting the market for Chinese meetings and events. The findings reveal not only the preferences of Chinese meeting planners in terms of the types of destinations and venues that they choose for their events, but also how they wish to interact with the sales and marketing professionals that are competing for their business.”

Following on from the success of the session, which was delivered at CIBTM, Davidson will deliver the China Meetings Summit at EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), which will take place on 19 November (15:30-16:30) in conference room 5.3.

CIBTM 2014 takes place on the 17th – 19th September 2014.

EIBTM LAUNCHES HYBRID EVENT

EIBTM LAUNCHES HYBRID EVENT

Live sessions streamed across the globe
IBTM Knowledge Virtual Centre will provide education on demand following shows

EIBTM (http://www.eibtm.com), the leading global event for the meetings and event industry, is set to launch its first Hybrid Conference at the show this year. The virtual conference will stream five key education sessions on Wednesday the 28th November from 9am (CET) as they happen live at EIBTM, allowing virtual delegates to join over 150 physical attendees for a dedicated interactive experience.

In addition to the live-streamed education sessions, The Hybrid Conference will also feature a virtual exhibition hall, resource centre and networking lounge.
Participants joining the live streamed keynote and interactive panel discussions will be able to ask questions live to the conference hall via a virtual MC, network real time with other participants within the communications centre and earn CEU credits for each seminar they attend.

The virtual event centre will be available to access for 12 months following the show. Participants will be able to view sessions on-demand, network with other participants and gain access to various white papers, which have been produced through research in association with EIBTM. In addition, content from the other IBTM events – AIME, GIBTM, CIBTM, AIBTM and BTM will all be available in the centre after each show.

The Hybrid Event will commence with a session delivered by Doug Keeley, CEO & Chief Storyteller, The Mark of a Leader, (9:00am EST). Keeley will use live storytellers and powerful videos, referring to case studies including Cirque du Soleil, Dabbawala, Zappos and the Shackleton’s Endurance to inspire meetings industry professionals and demonstrate that new strategies and innovative plans are needed, in times of great uncertainty and change.

At 11:00am (EST), Sally Greenhill, Managing Director, The Right Solution and Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer – Event Management, Greenwich University will combine forces in the The IBTM Research findings: A discussion. This dynamic session will take the existing global research findings one step further by providing a summary and interactive discussion platform of the industry-wide research.

The Hybrid Event will also include a session dedicated to Making Digital Events Happen at 1:45pm (EST). This session will commence with an outline of key building blocks essential for hybrid events, Presented by Paul Cook, Managing Director, Planet Planit. The session will then provide an interactive forum for both the physical and remote participants discussing what creates comfort at a hybrid event.

The last segment of this session will include an ‘on the couch’ question session facilitated by Paul Cook, Ruud Janssen, Founder, The New Objective Collective (TNOC) and Mike Clanton, Head of Global Corporate Event Solutions, My Meeting Professional (MMP) as they share some of their observations and experiences of what happens next with developing digital content, how to make the most of it and where your social media/communications strategy needs to go next.

To view the full programme or register for the EIBTM Hybrid Conference please visit http://engage.vevent.com/rt/re~ibtm or go to the EIBTM website http://www.eibtm.com. Participants can log in to the event from 8:30am (CET) on November 28, 2012.

CHINA’S MICE INDUSTRY BUYERS INCREASE 36% FOR CIBTM 2012

CHINA’S MICE INDUSTRY BUYERS INCREASE 36% FOR CIBTM 2012

2nd and 3rd tier cities join China Meetings Week for the first time
New strategic association partners increase education content

CIBTM, organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions and held in Beijing last week, enhanced its position as the only domestic and international event for the MICE industry in China welcoming the largest participation from exhibitors and a surge in the quality of regional Hosted Buyers.

“CIBTM part of China Meetings Week, has grown into the most mature meetings, incentive and events event in Asia, and as the only national one (supported by China National Tourism Administration) for the MICE industry in 2012, I am confident it will continue to expand in the future,” said Mr Sun Weijia, Vice Chairman of Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development during a speech he made at the opening conference. Mr Sun outlined how the value for the industry from Chinese buyers alone could top 7.8billion RMB.

CIBTM 2012 focused this year on encouraging more domestic Hosted Buyers to attend, all of whom had to achieve the strict qualification process before entering the programme. Reed Travel Exhibitions embarked on a year round tour of 2nd and 3rd tier cities to explain the MICE sector and find new association and corporate buyers. More than 500 media attended these events further helping to promote the sector, whilst urging those who work professionally as planners and buyers to be part of China Meetings Week. As a result, this year’s event welcomed over 413 Hosted Buyers, of which 147 represented associations and corporates which is an increase of 15% on 2011.

Other statistics from the show included increases in pre-scheduled appointments to 8,459 up 15% on last year, the net space of the event was up 20%, total exhibitors up 6% to 398 with an 18% increase in the number of exhibitors from China, and Hosted Buyers came from 18 countries – up 36% with the largest increase coming from China. Some 5000 industry professionals (subject to an independent post-show audit by BPA) were expected to attend over the 3 days of the event.

Barbara Steuri-Albrecht, Director for the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau said: “We have had a great show, and the Chinese buyers are very interested in doing business. We are getting more and more incentive groups from the pharma, automotive, insurance and finance sectors. We held a dinner in Beijing with selected Hosted Buyers and had an excellent attendance. We will certainly be back at CIBTM in 2013”.

Annie Chang, Market Development Manager, China McArthurGlen Group was a first time exhibitor. “China’s incentive buyers have shown great interest in us at the show. On the first day alone we had 15 appointments and four resulting in contracts one of which has developed into an incentive booking for 5000 Chinese delegates”.

Airaj Isaacs, Ovation Arabia who took part as an exhibiting partner on the Abu Dhabi stand said: “This is our first time at CIBTM, and its part of our China strategy and we are the only destination partner for Abu Dhabi who is attending. So we are here because of the huge increase in outbound business from Asia to the middle east, specifically Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I have been amazed by the number of mainland buyers who want to come to the Middle East for incentives. I have received genuine interest in Abu Dhabi for incentive travel from Hong Kong, Singapore and main land China. Ovation will definitely be back in 2013.”

This year’s Professional Education programme featured a number of diverse speakers through partnerships with some of the world’s leading industry associations many of whom were in China for the first time. For example ACTE (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) provided topics on tailored for corporate and business travel, a sector that was new to the show this year and supported the business travel element of the MICE sector.

There was also a strong focus on local and regional industry experts in the education programme. One particular session attracted a full auditorium and featured academic perspectives of the China meetings industry with an insight from a number of University Professors on the future growth and aspirations of the MICE industry.

The China Meetings Industry Blue Paper, presented by Mr Liu Haiying, CEO China National Convention Centre, was another highlight where for the first time attendees were given statistical analysis and research data for the future growth trends of the meetings industry.

The results of the 2012 CIBTM Global Meetings Industry Research China and Asia was also launched confirming that the region continues to offer huge potential for growth with an increase in volume of events, budgets and new destinations predicted. These research results are available in full on http://www.cibtm.com.

“We have been treated to some of the most spectacular networking events including a night on the Great Wall, one of the 7 wonders of the world, and an impressive entertainment experience from the CNCC staff in their own venue. This year’s event has been one of several great achievements for us as we welcomed so many new up and coming cities to the show including Chengdu, Zhangjiakou and Wuzhen who all exhibited for the first time. We have achieved our objectives of building understanding and awareness of the MICE industry into the regions and with the foundations for new professional buyers who have attended this year we will build on this again for 2013.” Said Jeffrey Xu, CIBTM Exhibition Manager.

CIBTM 2013 takes place on the 2nd – 4th September 2013.

4TH IBTM GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY RESEARCH ANNOUNCED AT CIBTM CHINA AND ASIA FOCUS

62% of buyers predict more events
72% of Buyers report that they will be working with new destinations
Use of social media and new technologies surge

The results of the 2012 IBTM Global Meetings Industry Research China and Asia focus shows that the region continues to offer huge potential for growth with an increase in volume of events, budgets and new destinations predicted.
The research study was based on the business decisions and challenges of 579 professionals (332 buyers and 247 suppliers from the meetings and events industry) as they move into a new age of global event planning. Of those surveyed 77% were from Asia and 23% were based outside the region but organising events in Asia.

Industry Sectors:
The top ten industry sectors for the Asia meetings industry this year have been identified as:

Government/Administration
Financial/Banking/Insurance
Utilities
Electronic/Communications
Pharmaceuticals/Medical
Training/Education
Construction/Engineering
Automotive
Property
Manufacturing/Industrial

Destinations:
When considering the buyers top ten countries of choice for holding events in Asia, China was most popular with 62% of all participants selecting it as the most used destination. Hong Kong followed with 45.5% and 35.9% of respondents selected Thailand.

Industry Trends:
The outlook for the MICE industry was also very positive with 62% of buyers saying that they would hold more events in the next 12 months (compared to the amount held in the previous 12 months). 25% said that they would hold the same amount of events.

48% of respondents confirmed that they would have increased marketing budgets for the next 12 months, 31% saying they would remain the same. This could be due to the use of social media and new technologies with 77% of buyers and 86% of suppliers using social media to communicate and up to 30% already providing apps.

72% of Buyers also reported that they would be working with more new destinations, 22% said that they would work with the same number of destinations and only 6% said indicated they would work with fewer new destinations.

When asked to comment on the factors which would most impact the increase of meetings and events business, the most frequently mentioned were: the global and local economy, air fare increases and currency inflation, increasing demand and the burgeoning industry in China, product and destination development, staffing requirements and creative new ideas.

Technology:
The research into use of new technologies saw some of the most significant results with 85.5% of supplier respondents and 77% of Buyer respondents stating that they would use social media as a new communication tool and over 50% of Buyers stating that they would start hosting virtual meetings.

Research was undertaken in conjunction with Reed Travel Exhibitions by Sally Greenhill, The Right Solution – sallygreenhill@rightsolution.co.uk. For full research results refer to http://www.cibtm.com or the contacts below. For more information about CIBTM please visit www.cibtm.com.

CIBTM OPENS WITH THE BIGGEST SHOW TO DATE

CIBTM OPENS WITH THE BIGGEST SHOW TO DATE
398 exhibitors on the show floor
15% increase in Pre-Scheduled Appointments
Hosted Buyers arrive from 18 countries

CIBTM (www.cibtm.com) 2012 opened today confirming its status as the leading event for the meetings, incentives, business travel and events industry in China and Asia. With over 5,000 meetings industry professionals (subject to an independent ABC audit post show) expected to participate over 3 days of the event, a 15% increase in pre-scheduled business appointments between Hosted Buyers and suppliers, 398 exhibitors on the show floor (an increase of 7% on 2011) and an 18% increase in the number of exhibitors from China, and Hosted Buyers arriving from 18 countries (up 36% on 2011), CIBTM is set to be biggest to date.

Jeffrey Xu, CIBTM Project Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented; “We are delighted with the response we have had to CIBTM this year, in particular the increase in Hosted Buyers from China. This year we spent time in the regions building awareness of the MICE industry through a number of road shows and one of the reasons for the 36% increase in Hosted Buyers is a direct result of our work in the 2nd and 3rd tier cities around China.

“We have also doubled the number of corporate and association buyers from Beijing. As one of the key measurements for the success of our show is gauged by the amount of business leads created between buyers and suppliers, and with 8,459 pre-scheduled appointments already confirmed, this is a very positive start to the show” Xu added.

China Meetings Week kicked off yesterday with four bespoke Hosted Buyer tours, tailored to familiarize buyers from around the world with what the city of Beijing and surrounding areas has to offer the meetings and events industry.

Itineraries included excursions to the Temple of Heaven, Lao She Tea House, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, National Museum of China, Beijing National Stadium and 798 Art Zone.

There will be over 19 dedicated education sessions during CIBTM, delivered through strategic partnerships with leading associations including Meetings Professional International (MPI), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). To view a full outline of the events planned to take place as part of China Meetings week, please visit http://www.cibtm.com/en/Education-Programme

China Meetings Week is one of the major driving forces behind the growth of the meetings industry throughout China and is set to help the country fully realise its potential to attract large-scale international corporate and association events. This year the Site annual international conference will follow CIBTM in Beijing, another example of the development of the MICE sector in the region.

For the first time, meeting professionals around the world can download the IBTM Event Show App, by searching the App Store or Android Market for ‘IBTM Events’.

CIBTM OFFERS DYNAMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ATTENDEES

CIBTM OFFERS DYNAMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ATTENDEES
Sign up now to secure your place at China’s leading meetings, incentives and business travel exhibition

With only seven weeks left until CIBTM (www.cibtm.com) and the show floor almost sold out to full capacity, Reed Travel Exhibitions are urging prospective Hosted Buyer and trade visitors to register to attend the show, which will deliver unrivalled business, education and networking opportunities for all participants.

CIBTM 2012 will bring together over 400 exhibitors from 29 countries, over 300 international and regional Hosted Buyers, over 20 key industry figures who will deliver thought provoking education content and a host of networking opportunities which will take place as part of China Meetings Week 2012.

Exhibitors signed up to take part in the biggest CIBTM to date include; Silversea Cruises, Rotana Hotels, London and Partners, Marriot International, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Barcelona Convention Bureau, China Star, Air China Limited, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Tourism Australia and Pacific World. For a full list of exhibitors participating in CIBTM 2012 visit www.cibtm.com/en/2012-Exhibitor-List/

Jeffrey Xu, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Exhibition Manager CIBTM comments, “CIBTM provides a dedicated three-day business platform focused on the rapidly expanding and developing Chinese market. The growth of the show is a testament to the considerable interest in the sector, both inbound and outbound, as local Chinese corporations and the world’s leading industry players focus on this part of the world and its significant growth prospects. I would encourage anyone involved in the planning and staging of meetings, incentives, events and business travel throughout the region to register and secure their Hosted Buyer or visitor place.”

The rise of technology and its application in the MICE sector will be a hot topic at this year’s show. Industry professionals including Jens Thraenhart, Co-Founder & President, DragonTrail and Chair, PATA China Chapter/PATA Technology Committee and Ewan MacLeod, Founder of Mobile Industry Review will be presenting sessions dedicated to informing meetings industry professionals about an industry which is developing at an exponential rate.

CIBTM will also provide the launch platform for the results of the 2012 China and Asia Meetings Industry Research report, which will be presented onsite by Sally Greenhill from The Right Solution on the 12th September (2:30-3:30pm) and again on 14th September (12-1pm). The research report provides valuable insight into the meetings and incentives industry in China and Asia as well as up to date market information on the latest trends and developments over the past 12 months. For more information about the full CIBTM Education programme, visit http://www.cibtm.com/en/Education-Programme/

There are also a number of networking events planned to take place as part of China Meetings week which will be free for all Hosted Buyers and trade visitors attending CIBTM. The Annual SITE conference will take place directly after CIBTM, offering an extended education platform for those attending. The CIBTM Welcome Reception, Hosted by CNCC will take place in China National Convention Centre on Wednesday 12th September (5:30-7:40pm) and the CIBTM Gala Evening will be held at Juyongguan Great Wall on Thursday 13th September. For a full outline of networking opportunities available at CIBTM, visit http://www.cibtm.com/en/Highlights-and-Features/Networking-Events/

For full event details and to apply for free Hosted Buyer or visitor status logon to http://www.cibtm.com

CIBTM 2012 takes place on the 12th-14th September 2012.

SUCCESSFUL ROAD SHOW DELIVERS REGIONAL HOSTED BUYERS TO CIBTM

SUCCESSFUL ROAD SHOW DELIVERS REGIONAL HOSTED BUYERS TO CIBTM
Dedicated education forums communicate the importance of CIBTM to the Meetings Industry in South China

The level of Hosted Buyers attending CIBTM (www.cibtm.com) from South China has increased by 100%, following a successful roadshow through Chengdu and Shanghai, which took place recently.
The roadshows were specifically tailored to communicate the importance of CIBTM (China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition) in supporting both inbound and outbound business for China’s Meetings Industry and to reach potential buyers who already work in the industry but do not realise they are part of it.

The first CIBTM forum was hosted in Chengdu, which is considered one of the top three potential meetings destinations (according to the latest industry report by CNTA). Over 100 meeting professionals attended the events, consisting of both buyers and suppliers from the region, who were keen to learn more about the ways in which CIBTM could help them develop their business objectives and what the event could do for their own career in the sector.

Phoebe Wu, Chengdu World Travel commented: “Chengdu has been very active in promoting MICE business although it’s still an emerging MICE city in China. We are looking for someone to lead us to enter into the market. After this forum we feel that Reed Travel Exhibitions is the right organisation to do that for us. All of the speakers they invited impressed us and brought us valuable guidelines and industry knowledge. We are looking forward to working with Reed Travel Exhibitions again.”

As the leading and largest international event for the business travel meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry in China and the wider Asia region, CIBTM is dedicated to promoting education as one of the key elements of the show. This year’s CIBTM will deliver cutting edge education for all levels available powered by leading industry associations such as ACTE, MPI, ICCA, SITE and PCMA. Attendees will also benefit from the opportunity to meet with some 200 exhibitors from the region and overseas within a powerful business forum as well as attend networking events.

To register go to http://www.cibtm.com/en/HB/

CIBTM 2012 takes place on the 12th-14th September 2012.

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CIBTM CALLS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE PART IN WORLDWIDE MEETINGS INDUSTRY RESEARCH

CIBTM CALLS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO TAKE PART IN WORLDWIDE MEETINGS INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Key findings for Asia Pacific will be presented at CIBTM on Wednesday 12th September at 14.30 – 15.30

CIBTM (www.cibtm.com), China’s leading meetings, incentives and business travel exhibition invites leading professionals from the meetings and events industry to take part in the highly targeted annual industry research study, a combined analysis of over 17,000 meetings industry professionals from across the globe.

The IBTM Global research study is based on the business decisions and challenges of professionals as they move into a new age of global event planning. The feedback, which is received from global meeting planners and suppliers through the survey process will enable the report to deliver a clear industry overview with a focus on developments in China and Asia.

The research, which combines and compares the results of last year’s annual China and Asia Meetings Industry Research Report, will build on last year’s findings which revealed that China and Asia offer huge potential growth in the domestic, regional, international inbound and outbound markets for all types of meetings and events.

The IBTM portfolio call for research participants spreads from the United States (AIBTM), China and Asia (CIBTM), Europe (EIBTM), Australasia (AIME) and the Middle East (GIBTM) which provides an unrivalled opportunity for a truly global outlook for the meetings and events industry in 2012 and 2013. The key objective for this project is to lead industry professionals to a more global understanding of the meetings industry.

CIBTM invites participants to take part in the survey, which will take only 5 minutes to complete – for more information please visit http://www.cibtm.com/research. Reed Exhibitions will donate per entry to Just a Drop, providing clean water for up to ten years for one child.

CIBTM 2012 takes place on the 12th-14th September 2012.