IBTM AMERICA 2016 KICKS OFF ITS HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME, KNOWLEDGE FORUM, NETWORKING EVENTS AND MORE

IBTM AMERICA 2016 KICKS OFF ITS HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME, KNOWLEDGE FORUM, NETWORKING EVENTS AND MORE 

ibtm america 2016 (www.ibtmamerica.com), taking place from June 15-17 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, has announced a number of developments for the upcoming programme including applications for Hosted Buyers going live, new topics and speakers for the ibtm america Knowledge Forum, networking events, and programmes for exhibitors.

International and regional meeting and event planners can now apply to attend as Hosted Buyers by filling out an application online. Successful applicants will receive a diary of up to 30 pre-scheduled, mutually matched 1-to-1 appointments with leading suppliers as well as a fully hosted itinerary including flights and accommodation at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, access to a variety of networking events, participation in Discovery Day, and access to the ibtm america Knowledge Forum.

Jaime McAuley, Event Director, ibtm america commented, “This year we’re rolling out 100% mutual match business appointments, which puts both buyers and exhibitors in the driver’s seat, giving them full control to choose who they want to meet with while eliminating non-relevant meetings.”

Hosted Buyers will be chosen based on their authority to organise, influence or make budgetary decisions for meetings, events, incentives and corporate travel, within North America or internationally. To find out more and apply to attend, please visithttp://www.ibtmamerica.com/Hosted-Buyers/About-Hosted-Buyers/

All Hosted Buyers and exhibitors will be invited to attend the ibtm america Welcome Luncheon, which will kick off ibtm america 2016. Instead of a traditional keynote speaker during the lunch, ibtm america 2016 will embody the spirit of Nashville by hosting Lyric Crew, a group of seasoned songwriters and studio musicians. Lyric Crewwill engage attendees in a creative team-building songwriting process, the result of which will be an ibtm america jingle and theme song.

The event has also announced two hot topics to be covered at the ibtm america Knowledge Forum which will include CEU Accredited Sessions and experiential sessions. Attendees will be able to attend education sessions on “Digital Security Trends“ and “Meetings Design” where they will explore using storyboard techniques to create fun and effective experiences for customers.

Jim Spellos, Media Expert and President of Meeting U, will cover “Digital Security Trends.” In his session Spellos will explore the most important trends in digital security, a hot topic in the new digital age.

Jaime McAuley concludes, “Our event programme is coming together and everything is looking great— we will have a number of other important announcements in the coming weeks. This year we have taken advantage of the exciting location of Nashville in our planning and are set to offer attendees a truly personalised experience designed to offer maximum ROI through a combination of pre-scheduled business appointments, networking and learning.”

As part of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) global agreement designating oneworld® as its exclusive airline alliance partner for 2016, exhibitors attending ibtm america are eligible for an exclusive discount when booking through oneworld events. To find out more, please visit http://www.ibtmamerica.com/en/exhibit/already-an-exhibitor/travel-and-hotel/

To learn more about being a Hosted Buyer, or apply to attend please visit http://www.ibtmamerica.com/Hosted-Buyers/About-Hosted-Buyers/

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

For sales inquiries, please contact ibtmamerica-sales@reedexpo.com

 

IBTM AMERICA 2016 SET TO OPEN WITH LINE-UP OF LEADING INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS AND BUYERS FOR 100% MUTUAL MATCH IN NASHVILLE

IBTM AMERICA 2016 SET TO OPEN WITH LINE-UP OF LEADING INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS AND BUYERS FOR 100% MUTUAL MATCH IN NASHVILLE

ibtm america 2016 (www.ibtmamerica.com), taking place from June 15-17 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, is set to debut it’s 100% mutual match business appointments design among an elite group of exhibitors and Corporate, Agency and Incentive Hosted Buyers.

Jaime McAuley, Event Director, ibtm america commented, “Our Hosted Buyer applications will go live early February, but for the first time this year we allowed Hosted Buyers to pre-register for ibtm america, and so far we’ve received applications from over 400 high-calibre buyers. We’ve also had over 100 exhibitors register for the event, which is not surprising considering that post-show feedback from ibtm america 2015 revealed a 95% satisfaction rate among exhibitors who felt our event platform worked for them.”

Corporate Hosted Buyers that have pre-registered for ibtm america 2016 will attend from companies such as Nature’s Way, Dell Inc., Metlife, Inc., Principal Financial Group, Tetra Tech, Inc. The Wall Street Journal, and Intel Corporation. Pre-registered Incentive/Agency Hosted Buyers will attend from companies such as American Express, Grass Roots, Meetings and Incentives Worldwide, Inc, and Peak Performance Distinctive. Association Hosted Buyers will attend from associations such as the American Association of Retired Persons, American Bar Association, California Alarm Association, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, American Public Human Services Association, Penn State University, and UC Berkeley.

All exhibitors and Hosted Buyers will be able to partake in 100% mutual match business appointments, which allows both parties to select who is relevant to their business needs and set up a diary of up to 30 appointments. ibtm america 2016 is the first event of it’s kind in the US to offer 100% mutual match business appointments.

Jaime McAuley, Event Director, ibtm america continued, “100% mutual match is a real game-changer for our attendees and definitely a draw for our exhibitors. Allowing exhibitors to request appointments with Hosted Buyers really puts them in the driver’s seat and gives them a real return on investment. The 100% mutual match system eliminates non-relevant meetings.”

New exhibitors confirmed to attend ibtm america 2016 include Cedar Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureau, Eau Palm Beach Resort, Fairmont Orchid- Hawaii, Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Social Tables, TripBuilder Media, and Visit Wichita. Returning exhibitors include British Virgin Islands Tourism, Conrad London St. James, Jamaica Tourist Board, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Live Nation Special Events, Marriott International Inc, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Station Casinos, and Vail Resorts Meeting & Events.

“In addition to their business appointments, all Hosted Buyers and exhibitors will attend Discovery Day, which will provide the opportunity to experience Nashville, and network with industry peers. We’re working with the Nashville CVC, Visit Music City to put together an exciting programme for Discovery Day, more details will be announced in the coming weeks,” said McAuley.

To find out more about the Hosted Buyer Programme and apply to attend, visit http://www.ibtmamerica.com/Register-Today/Hosted-Buyer-Registration/

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

For sales enquiries, please contact ibtmamerica-sales@reedexpo.com

FLORIDA SET TO BE DESTINATION FOR 2017 IBTM AMERICA EVENT

Press Release: 1st December 2015

REED TRAVEL EXHIBITIONS CONFIRMS FORT LAUDERDALE/HOLLYWOOD FLORIDA SET TO BE DESTINATION FOR 2017 IBTM AMERICA EVENT

Reed Travel Exhibitions confirms that the 2017 edition of ibtm america (www.ibtmamerica.com) will take place at the Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Florida.

The Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa is South Florida’s premier meeting resort with both indoor and outdoor space tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The property has received top honors from TripAdvisor, AAA and Orbitz and was named a top 100 Meeting Hotel by Cvent.

The decision to rotate the event has been driven by customer feedback confirming that 100% of buyers and suppliers attending the show were in favor of the event rotating year-to-year.

Jaime McAuley, Event Director, ibtm america commented, “We asked our exhibitors and buyers whether they preferred a permanent home, a resort location or an event that moved around to different destinations. 100% answered in preference of different destinations.

“Moving ibtm america to a new location every year offers benefits to our Hosted Buyers and exhibitors. We’re lucky to be able to work with so many great destinations and hosting venues. It also puts major meeting hubs in the splotlight annually and most importantly, it keeps things fresh and interesting.”

The 2016 edition of ibtm america will take place in Nashville, Tennessee (June 15th- 17th) at the Gaylord Opryland and will utilize the ‘mutual match’ system where both exhibitors and buyers will be able to request to meet one another.

To find out more about the Hosted Buyer Programme and apply to attend, visit http://www.ibtmamerica.com/Register-Today/Hosted-Buyer-Registration/

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

For sales enquiries, please contact: ibtmamerica-sales@reedexpo.com

Event Industry ‘Backs Britain’ at Launch of Britain for Events 2012/13

Event Industry ‘Backs Britain’ at Launch of Britain for Events 2012/13

Senior industry professionals backed Britain at the launch of the Britain for Events 2012/13 campaign last night. Over 100 events industry professionals attended the launch at IET London: Savoy Place as well as representatives from government and business including UK Sport, the Tourism Alliance, DCMS, and UK Border Agency.

Michael Hirst, Chair of the Business Visits & Events Partnership launched the campaign with the messages Britain for Events is carrying to media, business and government audiences. He also unveiled the ‘Events are GREAT Britain’ creative for the first time in the UK.

The event also saw an engaging panel discussion featuring Fay Sharpe, Managing Director of Zibrant, Katie Resnick, Head of Events & Hospitality for ITV, Jonny Sullens, Event Director, International Confex and Alex Mitchell, Head of Events, IET.

Each backed Britain for 2012/13 with comments including:
Katie Resnick, Head of Events & Hospitality: “ITV is falling in love with Britain again, all the street festivals and activity from 2012 has show what a fabulous time it is for British events and the eyes of the world eyes are on us.”

Fay Sharpe, Managing Director, Zibrant, commented: “2012 is going to be a tough year and there is still work to do, but we’re getting there and Britain for Events is the way to do it. 2013 will also be tough and as an industry we need to show our creativity to attract business into the UK and encourage corporates to keep business here too.”
“The standard of delivery from event organisers in the UK is the highest in Europe. I love Britain, we need to back Britain.”

Jonny Sullens: Group Director, International Confex, commented: “We have a fantastic proposition, with people that are passionate about events. Executives should write to their local MP’s, tell them about their business and the impact they have on the local economy.”

Alex Mitchell, Head of Events, IET: “We need to present a united front with every aspect of the meeting and events industry all pushing towards the same aims; unity is important.

Britain for Events is an annual campaign running from April to March and culminating at International Confex 19-21st March 2013.