IBTM ARABIA – SETS THE BENCHMARK FOR A NEW STYLE OF MICE EVENT IN THE REGION

IBTM ARABIA – SETS THE BENCHMARK FOR A NEW STYLE OF MICE EVENT IN THE REGION

“It’s been excellent for us, we have some very strong leads and a very positive response”
“Chic, classy, sophisticated, I love the way it has been put together”

Press Release: 16 February 2015 – ibtm arabia which closed last Thursday in Abu Dhabi, created the first all-inclusive 5 star MICE event in the Middle East for international and regional suppliers and buyers.  It also brought them together as a community to do business and network over 3 days.

“Judging by the enthusiasm of our exhibitors and Hosted Buyers we feel very confident that this new event format has been a huge success. Our strategy to mutually match the quality of both buyers and suppliers ensured their compatibility with each other. We also wanted to create a memorable experience and a strong community in addition to the valuable pre-scheduled appointments and that has been key to the success for everyone involved,” said Lois Wilcox Exhibition Manager ibtm arabia.

The only MICE event in the region to bring international and regional Hosted Buyers and exhibitors in a one-to-one ratio format, ibtm arabia delivered more than 3000 mutually matched and pre-selected appointments over the 2 days of business meetings. “The combination of the pre-scheduled appointments and nine networking opportunities have provided more touch points for everyone to help make meaningful connections,” commented Wilcox.

Zdenek Giormani, Director of the Czech Convention Bureau, was delighted with the new concept. “It’s a good way to do business, it’s more personal, I prefer it and the value of my meetings has also been very good.”

Similarly, Lee Ford, Head of Operations for QNCC said: “It’s been excellent for us, we have some very strong leads and a very positive response. It’s also been great for networking, no time wasters, even with other exhibitors, we have been able to catch up on everything going on in the MICE industry in this region, I am sure we will be back.”

Nicoletta Paphitou, Cyprus Convention Bureau, added to the enthusiasm of exhibitors. “I think this is the most effective exhibition that I have every participated in.”

Carole O’Connor, Marketing MICE Division for Rovos Rail in South Africa, added that the value to her company was outstanding. “This has been a very different event.  Chic, classy, sophisticated, I love the way it has been put together. We have had good quality appointments and two very interesting incentive opportunities – of course we will be back.”

Marwan Haddad, Director of Sales & Marketing for Marriott Doha, said that the new appointment system and the fact that the event was “closed” to trade visitors worked well. “This has worked! The appointment set up where everyone moves after 15 minutes was right.  The mutual match was also perfect and we have had concrete enquiries – we will be back next year.”

Ronar Nammour from Iktissadevents, UAE, was a Hosted Buyer for the first time. “It’s been very helpful to my business. We work for corporates as well as the public and government sectors and I am sure we are going to generate business. We are looking for opportunities for our clients in Europe including Spain and Switzerland as well as the GCC, many contacts I had not been able to reach, but I have now met with in person!”

Next year ibtm arabia (previously called GIBTM) will celebrate 10 years in Abu Dhabi. “Its importance to the region has been fundamental to the emergence of the MICE sector. When the event was launched there was very little infrastructure that supported meetings, conventions, events and incentives, but that has all changed,” added Wilcox.  The number of meetings in the Middle East has grown even quicker than in other regions – in fact they have more than tripled over the last decade, according to Euromonitor’s International, MICE and Business Travel.

“Over the next five years we anticipate that the importance of the MICE sector will grow so that it will be the key to providing long term sustainability to the sector in Abu Dhabi” said Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, partners and official hosts to ibtm arabia. “The Mice industry contributes to the emirate’s tourism particularly since business visitors tend to have a larger disposable income than leisure visitors, we are confident that the success of the new style ibtm arabia will result in new business for our partners.”

For further information please visit www.ibtmarabia.com

 

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

 

Top 10 Meeting Destination Istanbul at IBTM Arabia

Top 10 Meeting Destination Istanbul at IBTM Arabia

IBTM Arabia, St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

10-12 February 2015 (stand F09) 

LONDON (11 February 2015) – The Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) is promoting Istanbul as a venue for meetings at IBTM Arabia (10-12 February) for the first time ever, being held in Abu Dhabi at the five-star St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. 

IBTM Arabia, formerly GIBTM, is the leading international, exclusive event for the Arabian meetings, incentives, conferences and events industry. It is where meetings, events and incentives industry decision-makers meet for global business adventures. This year IBTM Arabia brings a fresh new format with quality meetings and an exclusive one-to-one ratio closed community experience for elite exhibitors and hosted buyers who do business in Arabia.

ICVB is representing Istanbul on its own stand with one-to-one meetings taking place over the three days in pre-booked sessions. Detailed information is being given to participants re meetings and incentives in Istanbul as well as promotional material and gifts being handed out. With its full itinerary of workshops, meetings and other activities during the fair, ICVB is promoting Istanbul to its fullest.

IBTM Arabia will be host to MICE buyers from 30 countries around the globe this year. Fifty per cent of the visitors originate from the Middle East, whilst Europe and Russia comprise 25% and both America and the Asia Pacific 10%, making it a truly global event.

As a historical meeting point between East and West and spanning two continents, today’s Istanbul is a top MICE destination offering unique and exciting venues. The city has the capacity to host every type of event, from bespoke incentives to meetings for up to 30,000 for corporate and leisure visitors alike. Combined with Istanbul’s historic venues, palaces, cisterns and the like, it offers meeting planners a variety of remarkable options to create truly outstanding events. Easily accessible from around the world, Istanbul is served by nearly 300 international airlines at its two airports and accommodation is both numerous and offers a selection across the spectrum. 

 

PREVIEW: GIBTM GEARS UP FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS IN ABU DHABI

GIBTM GEARS UP FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS IN ABU DHABI

New exhibitors, novel showcase features, major regional buyers, enhanced education programme, networking events and post-event fam’ trips – set the stage for GIBTM (www.gibtm.com) as the leading MICE exhibition in the Middle East.

The 2014 edition of The Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings is shaping up to be the most successful yet, with robust exhibitor and buyer interest in the event giving rise to new exhibition features, innovative concept areas, up to 300 hosted buyers, over 2,000 trade visitors and an expanded educational programme.

Kicking off at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 March 2014, GIBTM has piqued the interest of a truly international audience, with a number of first-time exhibitors attending from Spain, the United States, Thailand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Czech Republic, UAE, Korea, United Kingdom, Uganda, South Africa and Morocco.

Last year GIBTM tripled corporate meetings buyer attendance accounting for 35% of all hosted buyers attending the show, compared to 11% from the corporate sector in 2012.

The international pavilions have a new addition in the shape of the Africa Pavilion, which is being added in response to a surge in demand from exhibitors looking at targeting outbound business from the Middle East into the continent, with newcomers including Tips Tours and Rovos Rail Tours.

It joins the Asia Pavilion, with Korea and Thailand confirmed newcomers, as well as the European Pavilion, which this year will occupy a much larger area due to the addition of debutants such as L’way Express from the Czech Republic, Spain’s Iberostar Management, Serbia Convention Bureau, EPI Georgia, Arsenal Football Club and AYGUN TURIZM of Turkey.

GIBTM’s ‘Knowledge Programme’ has also been ramped up for 2014, with educational sessions conducted by some of the world’s leading meetings industry associations including MPI, ICCA and SITE, covering topics spanning industry trends, sustainability, issues impacting the corporate travel industry, and the challenges of staging international association meetings.

The seminar programme, sponsored by Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), has interesting sessions this year including the MICE Buyers report, in this session, Rob Davidson of the University of Greenwich in London will present the results of the Middle Eastern Meeting Planners’ Site Selection Survey – brand new research which demonstrates the factors that are most important to Middle Eastern meeting planners when they are deciding where to locate their events.

Another research study being presented by Sunil Malhotra, Director, Aviation Sector – Middle East & North Africa, Ernst and Young, is ‘The Habits of Middle East Business Travellers’. To view the full programme visit http://www.gibtm.com/knowledge

The GIBTM 20×20 Challenge, powered by PechaKucha is back for a second year running due to popular demand.

“The upswing in interest from a much wider audience of exhibitors than ever before has led the GIBTM team to introduce a number of exciting new initiatives at the 2014 show, enabling the event to reflect the demands and trends shaping the local and global meetings markets,” said Lois Hall, Exhibition Director, GIBTM.

“These new features include sourceme Pavilion in partnership with Nicholas Publishing International (NPI), which will showcase the leading event service suppliers from the Gulf region’s only annual events directory; the Technology & Services Zone, dedicated to the industry’s most technologically-advanced products and event planning services; plus Business Travel @GIBTM, featuring exhibitors in the Business Travel Zone. A dedicated Business Travel Knowledge programme and dedicated networking sessions.

“GIBTM will welcome up to 300 highly influential regional and international Hosted Buyers to attend this year’s show, all of whom have proven budget and sizeable business to place.” continued Hall.

Representatives from major industry players such as 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 all been accepted as Hosted Buyers.

“More than 8,500 pre-scheduled appointments are expected to take place between buyers and exhibitors at this year’s GIBTM,” said hall.

Additional value will be offered to Hosted Buyers through the launch of a series of post-event familiarisation tours to Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai, Jordan and Oman, giving these prime MICE destinations the opportunity to showcase their business and meeting facilities, hospitality portfolio and leisure attractions to global decision-makers.

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

Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.

PRESS REGISTRATION OPENS FOR GIBTM 2014

PRESS REGISTRATION OPENS FOR GIBTM 2014

GIBTM 2014 (www.gibtm.com) has opened press registration online for all media who are interested in attending this year’s event at

www.gibtm.com/press

Trade press that successfully pre-register will be able to take advantage of the following:
Press status and free admission to the show – media who do not pre-register will be required to register onsite as a trade visitor.
Access to the onsite press centre and use of all media facilities
Invitations to networking events with industry professionals
A copy of the pre-show diary of events, which provides details of all activities onsite that are relevant to you
Access to 300 exhibitors
Opportunity to arrange interviews onsite with GIBTM senior management
Access to exclusive industry reports, which will be distributed at the show
Access to the GIBTM Knowledge programme (www.gibtm.com/knowledge)

Special accommodation rates for all press attending will be available through GIBTM’s dedicated ground handler; The Vision, with a wide range of hotels across Abu Dhabi. To apply for discounted rates, please fill out the form attached or visit http://www.gibtm.com/travel

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

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

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.

GIBTM SHAPING UP FOR MAJOR BUSINESS

GIBTM SHAPING UP FOR MAJOR BUSINESS | Saudi Arabia leads regional Hosted Buyer attendance

Press Release: 14th March 2012
With less than two weeks remaining until GIBTM – the leading event for the meetings, incentives and business travel industry in the Gulf Region (www.gibtm.com) – the organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions, have announced that there will be 270 Hosted Buyers attending from countries across the globe with a new emphasis on Saudi meetings, events and business professionals with 25 confirmed to participate.

As a result of the interest generated from Hosted Buyers attending the show from countries including Australia, Brazil, China, India, Qatar, Russia, The U.S and UK, some exhibitors including Emirates Palace, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and Armani Hotel Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority have now opened second diaries to accommodate the demand for appointments pre-scheduled.

The emphasis of the event is on business tourism, meetings, events and conferences with over 300 exhibitors on the show floor from the Gulf and wider Middle East. First time exhibitors include: Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry Tourism Sector’, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Convention Bureau Italia S. P. A., Show Gizmo, 1001 Direk Cistern, PSideo SA, Oman Convention Center, Hotel Pullman Dubai, Mall of Emirates, Yas Viceroy Hotel Abu Dhabi, Golden Isle Travel (Pvt) Ltd., Bonnington Hotel – Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel.

With the industry growing year on year as many new venues and products are launched, this year both the Government of Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority are increasing the size of their stand to accommodate the growing number of exhibiting partners.

Lois Hall, Reed Travel Exhibitions Event Director GIBTM commented: “The combination of so many new exhibitors as well as the growth in the industry regionally and internationally means we are looking forward to a busy show. The major increase in Saudi Arabian Hosted Buyers are a real sign that GIBTM is a powerful place to do business and together with our new focus on Business Travel we hope to also see many more new faces from the corporate travel sector.”

ACTE, The Association of Corporate Travel Executives, will also, for the first time, provide ground breaking educational sessions as a result of their new strategic partnership with GIBTM. The aim of each education seminar will be to help individuals who are involved in planning business travel for their clients make well informed decisions, reduce costs, enhance performance and ultimately increase their network of suppliers. Seminars include:

· First step in optimising your business travel spend: Building and implementing a travel policy – Do’s and Don’ts

· Unravel the mystery of business travel technology distribution costs and how it affects the price you pay

· Improve finance processes and optimise travel payment systems in the Middle Eastern Region

· Delivering savings in an upbeat Middle Eastern market

Companies interested in exhibiting at GIBTM 2012 should contact Danielle Keogh, Head of Sales for GIBTM – Danielle.keogh@reedexpo.co.uk (0208 910 7191) or Shinu Pillai, Regional Sales Manager – shinu.pillai@reedexpo.ae (+971 4 364 2815).

For more information on how to register to attend GIBTM please visit http://www.gibtm.com and to find out more information on education sessions at GIBTM, please visit http://www.gibtm.com/education.

GIBTM 2012 takes place on the 26th-28th March 2012.