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

 

GIBTM 2014 KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

GIBTM 2014 KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
For full details visit http://www.gibtm.com/knowledge

GIBTM, the leading Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition in the Middle East, has recently announced the full outline for their 2014 GIBTM Knowledge programme which will be delivered at the show, set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 March, 2014.

Erica Keogan, Associations and Education Manager, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented, “GIBTM Knowledge has been rebranded for this year and is set to offer professional education opportunities for MICE and Business Travel professionals at all levels. The programme, which will be delivered by industry experts, has been designed to cover key market trends and issues in the Meetings, Incentives and Business Travel sectors.”

Sponsored by Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), the GIBTM 2014 Knowledge programme will be supported by SITE, MPI, ICCA and Green Globe and will include Business Travel, Industry Knowledge, Association and Sustainability sessions, which will deliver cutting edge professional education opportunities for MICE and Business Travel professionals.

The GIBTM Knowledge programme will incorporate the following sessions and full details can be found via http://www.gibtm.com/knowledge

The GIBTM 20×20 Challenge – Powered by PechaKucha (26 March 2014, 10:30 – 11:30 Knowledge Hub). This session invites attendees to present in a PechaKucha™ competition (PechaKucha™ is a style of presentation: 20 slides shown for precisely 20 seconds per slide). The audience will vote for their favourite presentation and pick the winner. Those interested in presenting should email abi.cannons@reedexpo.co.uk with a brief overview of their intended topic.
Habits of Middle East Business Travellers (25 March 2014, 16:00 – 17:00 Knowledge Hub) – Sunil Malhotra, Director, Aviation Sector – Middle East & North Africa, Ernst and Young, will be discussing the travel habits of business travellers in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and will be addressing their travel needs and trends. This is a must-attend session for all those interested in discovering future Business Travel trends in the Middle East.
Using Content Marketing to Promote Your Event or Venue (25 March 2014, 13:00 – 14:00, Knowledge Hub) – This session, delivered by Jordan Boshers, Chief Digital Strategist and Founder, IstiZada, and Farah Isam Batarneh, Online Project Manager, IstiZada, will analyse how content marketing can be used to drive new business through utilising the creation and distribution of relevant and useful content.

To find out more about GIBTM please visit http://www.gibtm.com

Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.

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GIBTM GEARS UP FOR SUCCESS WITH HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER MEETINGS INDUSTRY BUYERS CONFIRMED TO ATTEND

GIBTM GEARS UP FOR SUCCESS WITH HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER MEETINGS INDUSTRY BUYERS CONFIRMED TO ATTEND
www.gibtm.com

GIBTM, the leading Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition in the Middle East, is gearing up for major business with meetings industry buyers from leading global financial, technology, agency, corporate and association companies signed up to attend the event which takes place annually at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 March, 2014.

Major names including Kuoni Events, TE Connectivity, UHY International, Medicongress, Mary Kay, HelmsBriscoe, FEI Company, China International Medicine Exchange Association International Service Center, Contendam and Portigon Financial Services have been accepted onto the highly sought after Hosted Buyer programme.

Last year, GIBTM saw 251 Hosted Buyers attend with 67% placing orders in excess of US$650,000 each. As a direct result of the growing demand witnessed from both exhibitors and buyers, the show has extended the Hosted Buyer Programme offering this year to accommodate over 300 buyers who are expected to participate in over 8,500 pre-scheduled appointments.

Exhibiting at GIBTM will provide regional and international suppliers with the opportunity to meet this highly targeted audience of buyers and achieve fast market penetration, which will be facilitated through the power of face-to-face meetings. Exhibitors will also be able to obtain competitive intelligence whilst establishing their company as a key player in the meetings and events industry.

The IBTM Meetings Industry Research for the Middle East, which was presented at last years show, identified the top ten countries for outbound business from the Middle East to be Turkey, Spain, France, Malaysia, India, UK, Indonesia, Philippines, USA and South Africa.

To find out more about GIBTM please visit http://www.gibtm.com
Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.

Notes to Editors
For media enquiries, please contact:
Pamela Wils
Tel: +44 (0) 208 334 4005
Mob: +44 (0) 07900494467
Email: pamela.wils@cut-coms.co.uk

Sophie Ahad
Tel: +44 (0) 208 334 4009
Mob: +44 (0) 776 8211629
Email: sophie.ahad@cut-coms.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL HOSTED BUYER APPLICATION NOW OPEN FOR GIBTM 2014

INTERNATIONAL HOSTED BUYER APPLICATION NOW OPEN FOR GIBTM 2014
Apply now via www.gibtm.com/hbapply

Hosted Buyer registration is now open for GIBTM, the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition, which takes place annually at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). All meetings industry professionals interested in attending the show with Hosted Buyer status can apply at www.gibtm.com/hbapply

Hosted Buyers attending will receive a personalised diary of pre-scheduled business appointments selected by them in advance of GIBTM with key regional exhibitors including Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Qatar Tourism Authority and Kingdom of Bahrain Tourism Sector, Ministry of Culture who have already confirmed their participation at the show.

Accepted Buyers will also receive direct access to the newly launched GIBTM Knowledge programme and invitations to a range of exclusive networking events, as well as complimentary return flights, transfers and 4/5* accommodation.

Lois Hall, GIBTM Event Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented, “The feedback we have received from last year and 99% satisfaction rate recorded post show has been extremely encouraging and as a result of the growing demand we are witnessing from international buyers who are looking to harness the potential of the rapidly developing meetings industry in the Middle East, we have extended the Hosted Buyer allocation to over 300 buyers this year.

“We are also anticipating that the show will generate around 8,500 pre-scheduled business appointments between Hosted Buyers and the growing number of exhibitors who have already signed up to take part.”

Jacqui Kavanagh, Managing Director, Trinity Conferences, UK who attended GIBTM 2013 as an international Hosted Buyer commented, “This is an important show to attend if you are serious about understanding who the movers and shakers are in this industry. The UAE is a growth market for us because it is deemed safe, has invested in infrastructure, has fantastic hotels and is building up its credentials as a conference destination. Abu Dhabi also has a lot more to offer now and the show has helped me to gain some valuable contacts.”

Grace Dzvairo, Global Account Executive, Conference Direct, Washington DC who also attended in 2013 as an international Hosted Buyer commented, “This show has really changed my perceptions of the UAE and what it has to offer. I am very surprised by what the UAE has to offer; it’s definitely unique and different and I will be considering both Dubai and Abu Dhabi for more clients, depending on their requirements. I would definitely recommend a meeting in Abu Dhabi.”

GIBTM has also recently announced plans to incorporate a number of new regional post event tour options for international Hosted Buyers attending. The show organisers have confirmed that Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar will be participating in the programme, which will host groups of top international meeting and incentive buyers directly after GIBTM 2014. For more information visit www.gibtm.com/hbtours

Event organisers and meetings industry professionals who influence or make budgetary decisions for international business travel, meetings, incentive travel, international conventions, product launches or staff training may be eligible to attend the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Middle East as a Hosted Buyer and can apply via www.gibtm.com/hbapply

GIBTM 2014 takes place on the 24th – 26th March, 2014.
Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.

GIBTM SET TO DELIVER ENHANCED FOCUS ON EUROPE

European Pavilion and Market Focus Networking Event will serve increasing demand for outbound business from Middle East into Europe.

GIBTM (www.gibtm.com), the Middle East’s dedicated business platform for the region’s inbound and outbound MICE and Business Travel industry, is set to incorporate a dedicated European Pavilion and Market Focus Networking Event to the show programme this year.

The enhanced focus on Europe will be delivered as a direct result of post show feedback which revealed that Hosted Buyers who attended GIBTM 2013 from countries including UAE, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, specified a direct interest in placing outbound business there.

IBTM Middle East Meetings Industry Report 2013 confirmed that ‘the forecast for the year ahead is even more positive as can be seen from the 69% of locally based buyers predicting more events for the next 12 months. In addition, 59% of Middle East buyers are forecasting increased budgets for the next twelve months and 30% say budgets will remain the same as last year’.

Lois Hall, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Exhibition Manager, GIBTM commented “The Middle East is rich with opportunities for outbound business and last year, GIBTM saw 251 Hosted Buyers attend with 67% placing orders in excess of US$650,000 each.

“Last year, GIBTM attracted top-level regional buyers from major global organisations including Bank of Beirut – Lebanon, Carlson Wagonlit Travel – Egypt, Saudi Aramco – Saudi Arabia, American Express Egypt Travel Service – Egypt, Mobily – Saudi Arabia and Capital Market Authority – Saudi Arabia.

“For 2014, we are set to increase our offering to 300 targeted buyers as demand continues to grow for quality interaction with leading industry suppliers, and the new GIBTM event programme will build on previous show floor successes to allow us to continue to push outbound business from the region.”

Exhibiting in the European Pavilion at GIBTM will enable suppliers to meet with a highly targeted audience of buyers and achieve fast market penetration, which will be facilitated through the power of face-to-face meetings. Exhibitors will also be able to obtain competitive intelligence whilst establishing their company as a key player in the meetings and events industry.

The show programme will also include a Market Focus on Europe networking event, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 25 March from 8:30am – 10am on the show floor. The session will facilitate business opportunities between exhibitors from Europe and Hosted Buyers who have business to place in Europe.

Hall concludes, “We are encouraging any European exhibitors who are interested in participating to contact the GIBTM Team by telephone on +44 (0) 208 910 7098 or email them at gibtmteam@reedexpo.co.uk”

GIBTM 2014 takes place on the 24-26 March 2014. To find out more about the specialist pavilions at GIBTM please visit www.gibtm.com/specialist Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.