IBTM CHINA 2016 CREATES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ZONE

IBTM CHINA 2016 CREATES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ZONE, ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE FOR START UPS AND TECH DEVELOPERS

Press Release: Wednesday 13th July 2016

Ibtm China 2016 is to offer technology suppliers in Asia and China the opportunity to join an Innovation Zone at this year’s event,  which takes place in Beijing from 7-8 September.  Each tech exhibitor will be given their own dedicated customized private space for exhibitors and buyers to meet and do business,  called a “meeting pod” the space comes with LCD screen and an all inclusive package allows the supplier to simply turn up,  and get started with their appointments.  All they have to do is provide their own branding. It is hassle free and there are no set-up or tear down costs,  one price covers everything.  Also included is access to all ibtm china networking functions,  educations sessions and events.  The ibtm events portfolio creates similar technology opportunities at its events around the world with the largest area at the mothership event, ibtm world. As a catalyst for the sector,  trends,  new innovations,  hands on experiences,  education sessions and live demonstrations allow meetings planners to see for themselves what technology advancements can mean to their business. “We are creating a dedicated area on the show floor,  similar to those offered at our other events in the portfolio.  We have already seen a significant interest in requests from tech start ups and companies who are providing dynamic and innovative solutions to event and meeting planners here in China and the rest of Asia.  For our Hosted Buyers and trade visitors this will be a real opportunity for anyone seeking to source new solutions and access technology which has the potential to enhance their events.”  Said CiCi Chen,  ibtm china event director.  “We are also offering suppliers in the Innovation Zone,  the opportunity to speak about their technology in a dedicated hub area,  giving them another time to also market and promote their services.  This package is designed to give a real boost to companies who want all the benefits of a trade show as well as access to the Hosted Buyer appointment system – 2 days of opportunities,  it could not be easier,” added Chen. Companies providing event services or technology solutions,  interested in the all inclusive meeting pod package and benefiting from access to a regional,  local and international Hosted Buyer community should get more information regarding the ibtm china 2016 Innovation Zone on http://www.cibtm.com

Die IMEX in Frankfurt 2016: die persönlichste IMEX, die es je gab

Die IMEX in Frankfurt 2016: die persönlichste IMEX, die es je gab
Besucher können sich auf viele neue Formate und Geschäftsoptionen freuen

Die IMEX in Frankfurt, die im nächsten Jahr vom 19. bis zum 21. April 2016 statt findet, wartet mit einem maßgeschneiderten und höchst persönlichen Messeerlebnis auf. So können Besucher ihre Messetermine mit einer Fülle an Programmbausteinen anreichern. Ob Networking, Weiterbildung oder Inspiration: dem individuellen Messeerlebnis sind keine Grenzen gesetzt. Und auch die Hosted Buyer dürfen sich auf viele neue Services freuen, die den Besuch der IMEX noch effektiver und erlebnisreicher machen.

Erweitertes Hosted Buyer Programm
NEU in 2016: Jeder europäische Hosted Buyer kann den eigenen Besuch im Vorfeld auf ein dreitägiges Programm mit zwei Übernachtungen erweitern und so in den vollen Genuss der gesamten IMEX kommen. So können die vollen drei Messetage genutzt werden – es bleibt Zeit, sich neben ausführlichen Ausstellerterminen vom umfangreichen Messebegleitprogramm inspirieren und weiterbilden zu lassen. Die neuen dreitägigen Programme garantieren größtmögliche Flexibilität und ergänzen die ein- und zweitägigen Hosted Buyer Programme, die bereits seit 13 Jahren erfolgreich angeboten werden. Die Messe öffnet in 2016 um 9.45 Uhr und Hosted Buyer Gruppentermine finden erst ab 11 Uhr und nur bis 16 Uhr statt – so bleibt jede Menge Zeit für eigene Termine.

Hosted Buyer, die ihre Flüge selbst buchen, haben ab sofort eine größere Auswahl an Flugoptionen. Und auch für das ganzheitliche Wohl der Hosted Buyer ist gesorgt: Zwischen den Messeterminen können Hosted Buyer in der Hosted Buyer Lounge entspannen, die neben wifi und einer Garderobe erstmals auch kostenlose Snacks, wie Sandwiches und Suppen sowie Getränke anbietet.

Viele neue Aussteller und vergrößerte Messestände
Wie groß das Interesse an den Ausstellern auf der IMEX ist, zeigt auch ein Blick auf die besucherseitige Nachfrage: 24 neue Hosted Buyer Gruppen aus Europa und der ganzen Welt sind bereits bestätigt. Wie jedes Jahr werden 3.500 internationale und nationale Aussteller aus 150 Ländern und aus allen Bereichen der Veranstaltungsbranche auf der IMEX ihr Portfolio präsentieren und neue Produkte vorstellen.

Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm
„Business & ME“ und die „Sharing Economy“ sind die zwei Kernthemen des umfangreichen und inspirierenden messebegleitenden Ausbildungsprogrammes für 2016. Besucher, Aussteller und Hosted Buyer erwartet am „Inspiration Hub“ eine Auswahl an top-aktuellen Vorträgen, Workshops und Intensiv-Seminaren. „Business & ME“ beleuchtet die eigene Karriereplanung, CSR Themen und Wellbeing. Das Kernthema „Sharing Ecnomy“ behandelt aktuelle Branchenthemen aber auch allgemeine Wirtschafts- und Gesellschafstrends rund um diesen Mega-Trend sowie dessen Auswirkungen auf die Veranstaltungsbranche. Dazu wird es eine Panel-Diskussion am Mittwoch, den 20. April geben. Weitere Themenbereiche umfassen „Personal Branding“, „Marketing & Social Media“, „Business Skills“, „Research & Trends“, „Creative Learning“ und „Technology“.

Der Vortag der IMEX – Montag, der 18. April – ist einmal mehr der Tag, an dem einige der wichtigsten IMEX-Events für Einkäufer und Aussteller stattfinden:

Exclusively Corporate @IMEX – Fokusthema „Aufbau einer persönlichen Marke“
Diese außergewöhnliche Veranstaltung lädt Jahr für Jahr Corporate Meeting Planner in einem exklusiven Rahmen zu einem Tag voller Networking und Weiterbildung ein. Maßgeschneidert auf die spezifischen Bedürfnisse der Veranstaltungsplaner in Unternehmen bietet „Exclusively Corporate @IMEX“ in der eleganten Kulisse des Villa Kennedy Hotels einen einzigartigen Mehrwert für die erlesene Teilnehmergruppe. Im nächsten Jahr behandelt das interaktive Vortragsprogramm u.a. wie Eventplaner aus ihren Stärken und Fähigkeiten eine eigene Marke aufbauen können – den „Personal Brand“ – um damit aktiv ihre berufliche Entwicklung zu gestalten. Der Event bietet außerdem ideale Möglichkeiten zum Kennenlernen von Kollegen aus anderen Unternehmen und zum Erfahrungsaustausch.

Association Day & Evening – Fokusthema „Relevanz“
Speziell an Veranstaltungsplaner in Verbänden richtet sich der „Association Day“, der ebenfalls am Vortag der IMEX stattfindend, seit Beginn der IMEX eine der maßgeblichen messebegleitenden Veranstaltungen ist. Verbändeplaner dürfen sich Jahr für Jahr auf ein maßgeschneidertes Weiterbildungsprogramm freuen, welches speziell die Herausforderungen bei der Veranstaltungsplanung in Verbänden behandelt. In 2016 wird das Leitthema „Relevanz“ mit einer Reihe an Sessions und Workshops durch das gesamte Programm führen. Teilnehmer haben zudem die Möglichkeit, Gleichgesinnte aller Branchen kennen zu lernen und wertvolles Networking zu realisieren. Der Tag endet wieder mit dem beliebten „Association Evening“ im Marriott Hotel.

Erste „PCMA Business School“ in Europa – Fokusthema „Querdenken“
PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) bringt seine hochkarätige und international angesehene „Business School“ im Rahmen der IMEX nach Europa. Jeder, der Interesse hat, kann von diesem kostenlosen Weiterbildungsangebot auf MBA-Niveau profitieren. Dr. Kaihan Krippendorff, bekannter Strategieberater und Bestsellerautor wird eine interaktive Session mit dem Thema „The Outthinker Playbook – Devising Disruptive Strategies“, durchführen, bei der die Teilnehmer lernen, wie sie den neuen Anforderungen des Geschäftslebens mit alternativen Herangehensweisen, visionärem Denken und strategischer Klarheit begegnen können. Der Kurs ist CMP zertifiziert.

Ray Bloom, Chairman der IMEX Gruppe erläutert: “Die IMEX in Frankfurt feiert nun das 14-jährige Bestehen und wir setzen alles daran, die Messe stets weiter zu entwickeln und so zu einer optimalen Plattform für die Entwicklung der Branche zu machen. Aussteller nutzen die IMEX als ideale Basis, um ihre Produkte und Services vor zu stellen. Unsere Bemühungen gelten vor allen Dingen auch den Besuchern und Hosted Buyern, deren Programme wir einmal mehr mit einer ganzen Reihe zusätzlicher Leistungen und noch mehr Flexibilität ausgestattet haben. So garantieren wir, dass jeder – ob Besucher, Hosted Buyer oder Aussteller – den größtmöglichen persönlichen Nutzen mit nach Hause nehmen kann.”

ICOMEX TO BECOME IBTM LATIN AMERICA

ICOMEX TO BECOME IBTM LATIN AMERICA

ICOMEX – the leading MICE event in Mexico and LATAM acquired by Reed Travel Exhibitions in 2014 – is to be re-branded as ibtm latin america joining the global portfolio of ibtm events all of which were re-branded at the end of last year. ibtm latin america will sit as part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions global portfolio of meetings, incentives and events exhibitions and serve the Latin America region including south and central America.

Becoming part of the ibtm portfolio will give the event a major boost and international presence in the global meetings industry and provide new opportunities for the portfolio’s international database of meeting planners who are looking to place or do business across the region supported by ibtm latin america.

The current local expertise and knowledge of the team based in Mexico City, will now be supported by the ibtm portfolio around the world operating and organizing 8 events on 5 continents as well as being part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) portfolio of events.

“With the change of name, we are truly part of the international ibtm events portfolio and specifically we can now adopt many of the brand values that support each event. For example, the global themes for the ibtm knowledge programme can be used specifically for our region, combining local and regional emphasis as well as an international flavor. Equally we will benefit from the expertise in delivery of world-class Hosted Buyer programmes and have access to the ibtm and RTE sales network so that we can further grow our exhibitor and planner community”. Said David Hidalgo, ibtm latin america Show Director.

At the same time, the team based in Mexico City will provide dedicated local and regional knowledge and expertise to the global portfolio, building the database of domestic and regional planners and suppliers who are looking to expand their businesses around the world and who will be able to apply as Hosted Buyers to other events in the portfolio.

The new Hosted Buyer recruitment strategy for ibtm latin america 2016 will now expect to qualify from the international markets including Spain, Germany, France and UK as well as US and Canada. The programme will also witness growth from South and Central America as well as LATAM.

As a result, the event expects to see a growth in suppliers from overseas especially DMO’s and CVB’s who are looking to meet with regional planners. The new focus on bringing in international buyers will also see more domestic Mexican suppliers as well as those from North America and those from across south, central and Latin America.

The ibtm events portfolio is part of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s leading provider of events and exhibitions for the travel and tourism industry.

IBTM WORLD CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS OF LEADING INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS DESTINATIONS

IBTM WORLD CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS OF LEADING INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS DESTINATIONS

Leading Association Meetings Destinations (confirmed by latest ICCA rankings) including Paris, Vienna, Madrid, Berlin and Barcelona are all confirmed to attend ibtm world (www.ibtmworld.com) 2015, formerly EIBTM, supporting the notion that the event plays a vital role in their business development and marketing strategies.

The event, which is set to take place in the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona will provide an international platform from which over 15,500 MICE professionals will come together to conduct their annual business meetings.

Christoph Tessmar, Director of Barcelona Turisme Convention Bureau commented, “We’ve been exhibiting at ibtm world since the very beginning and the show has gone a long way towards supporting us to position ourselves as a major international meetings destination for Associations. Each year we generate a vast amount of business from the show which has also contributed towards positioning Barcelona as one of the most popular Association Meetings Destination globally.”

This year’s show is set to bring together over 4,000 top level Hosted Buyers who will be able to schedule face-to-face meetings with suppliers of their choice, thanks to the mutual match appointment system. Many exhibitors who attended last year’s show are also set to return this year to take advantage of the targeted business opportunities.

Companies interested in benefiting from access to a global network of powerful meetings and events buyers and exhibiting opportunities should contact ibtmworld.sales@reedexpo.co.uk for further information or visit www.ibtmworld.com/exhibit

To find out more about the Hosted Buyer Association Programme please visit: http://www.ibtmworld.com/myclub. Hosted Buyer Association Programme applications are reviewed and accepted based on the number and size of meetings, events, incentives and conferences they purchase annually, individual purchasing authority, their annual budget for meetings, events and incentives, the value of their recent business booked and potential for future business in the meetings and business travel industries.

BEIJING SET TO WELCOME MEETINGS INDUSTRY PLANNERS FROM LEADING GLOBAL BRANDS

BEIJING SET TO WELCOME MEETINGS INDUSTRY PLANNERS FROM LEADING GLOBAL BRANDS
“We believe that ibtm china provides the most effective platform to support our business and meet international buyers.”

Hosted Buyer registration for ibtm china 2015 (www.cibtm.com/en/Hosted-Buyers) is now open with senior meetings industry planners from some of the world’s leading global brands and companies already confirmed including Estee Lauder, Bank of Commercial, UCB Pharmaceutical, L’Oreal Paris, Mercedes-Benz China, Volkswagen, Walmart, China Textile Association, The International Ski Federation, Nike, China Ford Motor Company, Michelin, Prudential Life Insurance, Samsung, HelmsBriscoe and Engineering Conferences International.

Hosted Buyer, Hao Wang, Head of Meetings, Groups and Events, HRG Jinjiang China, commented: “I firmly believe that ibtm china gives us the best platform from which to meet international suppliers. The show also gives attendees relevant education and news about MICE development. Our objectives for the show are to look for advanced and creative MICE services, to source qualified partners in countries where we have business, and to enlarge our knowledge base on both destinations and resources.”

Cici Chen, Senior Project Manager, ibtm china commented, “Early response to our Hosted Buyer programme shows the high level of interest in China from companies who clearly have business to place here. We know that they are looking to meet hotels, venues, destinations, technology suppliers, business travel, event services providers that represent the MICE sector. With over 400 exhibitors from China, Asia and beyond expected, they won’t be disappointed. The programme not only offers Buyers face to face meetings but also pre-show Beijing fam trip options to experience the city and surrounding sights, valuable knowledge and education sessions, and numerous networking events and opportunities.”

Buyer, Cennic Koh Hiong, Executive Director, CITS Group Shanghai Co Ltd, commented: “Our overall objective for the show is to get more supplier information to strengthen our business. We believe that ibtm china provides the most effective platform to support our business and meet international buyers.”

To find out more about the Hosted Buyer programme and to apply to be hosted, please visit: http://www.cibtm.com/en/Hosted-Buyers.

Companies targeting new business from China and Asia who are interested in benefiting from access to a global network of powerful meetings industry buyers and exhibiting opportunities should contact jonathan.vis@reedexpo.co.uk or for further information, please visit www.cibtm.com

Join ibtm china on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Die größte IMEX in Frankfurt, die es je gab

Die größte IMEX in Frankfurt, die es je gab
Nächsten Dienstag, den 19. Mai 2015 öffnet die IMEX ihre Pforten

Die diesjährige IMEX, die “worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events”, die vom 19. bis zum 21. Mai 2015 in Frankfurt statt findet, wird die größte IMEX seit Beginn der Messe 2003 sein.

Unter den 3.500 Ausstellern auf der IMEX sind auch 55 neue Messestände aus allen Kontinenten der Erde und aus jedem Bereich der Veranstaltungsbranche. 45 der wiederkehrenden Aussteller haben größere Stände gebucht, darunter Abu Dhabi, China, die Niederlande, Aserbaidschan, Peru und New York City.

Die Beliebtheit des Hosted Buyer Programmes wächst kontinuierlich, so dass dieses Angebot in diesem Jahr noch weiter vergrößert wurde und nun fast 4.000 Hosted Buyer umfasst. So werden mehrere hundert neue Hosted Buyer, viele darunter aus Ferndestinationen, in diesem Jahr in Frankfurt erwartet.

Das Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm findet ab diesem Jahr direkt im Messebereich am „Inspiration Hub“ statt und präsentiert 170 Sessions, darunter 30 deutschsprachige Einheiten, in zehn verschiedenen Themenbereichen. Neu in 2015 sind die Einheiten morgens zu den Themen „Business Networking“ und „Building Confidence“. Weitere neue Formate wurden für Nachwuchskräfte, die maximal drei Jahre Berufserfahrung haben, und Fachkräfte mit mindestens acht Jahren Berufserfahrung, entwickelt.

Neu ist auch der „Creative Thursday“ mit vielen interaktiven Einheiten zum Aufbau von geschäftlichen Beziehungen bis zu kreativem Event Design.

Die Keynote Rede auf der IMEX Eröffnungszeremonie am Dienstag früh wird Bill McDermott, CEO von SAP, halten. Er ist ein passionierter Unterstützer der Veranstaltungsbranche und schätzt den Mehrwert, den Veranstaltungen als Innovations- und Wertetreiber im geschäftlichem Umfeld bieten.

Fachbesucher der Veranstaltungsbranche können sich vorab online registrieren oder sich direkt vor Ort kostenfrei anmelden.

Besucherregistrierung https://portal.imex-frankfurt.com/register.php
Ausstellerverzeichnis http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/business/whos-exhibiting/
Aus- und Weiterbildungsprogramm http://www.imex-frankfurt.com/events/education/

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

ibtm america Announces Theme for Inaugural New Show Format: “Connections Mean Everything”

Education Centered “Knowledge Forum” Set to Deliver Top-Notch Business Insights

The newly designed ibtm america has sharpened its focus on face-to-face business connections with this year’s show theme “Connections Mean Everything” in Chicago from 9-11 June.

This year’s “Discovery Day” (formerly “Education Day”) will kick off the Knowledge Forum with a keynote session sponsored by PCMA around the show’s theme.

Directly following this, there will be two sets of three congruent sessions brought to you by PCMA, Site and the ibtm events team. The first set of sessions will include a breakout around tools for planner productivity titled “Big Data Part 1” as well as an industry engagement option “Shared Economy” from PCMA. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to put meetings design into practice with the session on “Audiovisual Technologies and Adult Learning in Meetings” led by speaker Michael Owen from EventGenuity, LLC. The next set will see more sessions around industry engagement from Site. Returning presenter and attendee-favorite James Spellos will lead the last option “Way Cool Tech Tools”.

Keynoting on day two this year is Debbie Mayo-Smith. A best-selling author and globally recognised leading business productivity expert, Debbie will speak on how to improve profits and communication through the use of email, smartphone and other software.

Meetings Mean Business will be keynoting the Inspiration Lunch on day two of the show. The coalition is dedicated to showcasing the value that business meetings bring to the US economy.

To enhance productivity and informal connection making, the “ConnectZone” will bring additional education offerings for attendees and exhibitors to experience during their breaks. A hybrid of last year’s Innovation and Refresh Zones, the ConnectZone (brought to you in partnership with the Meeting Pool) revisits some of AIBTM 2014’s popular attractions such as the Innovation Spotlight Stage, sponsored by Certain Software, and the TECHbar.

New this year will be the WellnessNexus, a showcase of the latest and emerging trends in personal and professional wellness, as well as the ImageDeck, where attendees can enrich their personal and professional appearances via image consultants, beauty experts and a professional headshot lounge. Attendees will also be able to participate in some charitable activity, as “Dress For Success” will be on-hand accepting clothing donations. The not-for-profit organisation promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire.

“Our focus this year for the ConnectZone twofold: we want our attendees to feel productive, even during their appointment breaks, but to also have fun and relax” says Jaime McAuley, ibtm america’s Event Director. “The ConnectZone allows for learning about the most recent technology innovations, and gives people a chance to better their wellness and productivity. We’ll have experts on hand in a variety of topics on hand to teach planners and exhibitors about emerging trends and techniques they can apply not only to their personal, but their professional lives as well.”

ibtm america takes place from June 9-11, 2015 in Chicago. To apply to be a Hosted Buyer or participate as an exhibitor, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com

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 AFRICA NOW ACCEPTING HOSTED BUYER APPLICATIONS

IBTM AFRICA NOW ACCEPTING HOSTED BUYER APPLICATIONS#

www.ibtmafrica.com/hbapply

Hosted Buyer applications are now being accepted for ibtm africa 2015 (www.ibtmafrica.com), a highly targeted, exclusive event for Africa’s incentives and meetings industry, taking place at the Cape Town Convention Centre from 13 – 15 April 2015.

ibtm africa offers an exclusive opportunity for top level international decision makers to connect and engage with African and Indian Ocean exhibitors including destinations, venues, hotels, DMC’s and MICE support services over three days of one-to-one pre-scheduled appointments, networking and education.

In addition to their diary of up to 36 pre-scheduled business appointments with MICE exhibitors, qualified buyers will benefit from complimentary accommodation and transfers as well as a substantial contribution towards international flights to Cape Town and will have the opportunity to apply to attend a post event tour.

Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Manager for ibtm africa, comments: “Africa holds enormous potential for the MICE industry with great investment in infrastructure. The rapidly growing demand for meetings industry suppliers within Africa has been reflected in the unprecedented interest witnessed from international Hosted Buyers who applied to attend the first ibtm africa and is expected to pave the way for the 2015 event.”

Suresh Puri, Spice Travel, India who was a Hosted buyer at last year’s show commented: “It’s very well organised and full of quality and I see it on both sides not only as a buyer but also the exhibitors, who are representing the region very adequately. So my impression is that the intimate one-to-one sessions give buyers an opportunity and an insight into the products the region has to offer, my compliments to Reed Exhibitions.”

Meetings and incentives professionals who apply to attend this event as Hosted Buyers will be qualified under strict criteria including their purchasing authority, their annual MICE business, their annual budget and future business to place in Africa. They will also be first-time attendees at ibtm africa. Successful applicants will be senior decision makers from the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, South America and Russia, therefore representing a cross-section of the most senior meeting and incentives planners in the industry.

The second edition of ibtm africa, taking place in Cape Town (13-15 April) as part of Africa Travel Week, will bring together up to 60 African and Indian Ocean suppliers and international buyers over three days for business, networking and education.

To find out more about ibtm africa or to register to attend as a Hosted Buyer, please visit www.ibtmafrica.com

 

HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME OPENS FOR IBTM AMERICA

HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME OPENS FOR IBTM AMERICA

CHICAGO JUNE 2015
“Elite buyer community mutually matched in 1:1 ratio for new event”

The IBTM America 2015 Hosted Buyer registration goes live this week with applications already waiting for the qualification process to begin.

The new show format will see 250 suppliers meet with the same number of planners from the global meetings industry on a 1:1 ratio in the privacy of a unique meeting pod designed solely for the purpose of the diary of appointments each day. For the first time, the organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) will be providing a mutual match appointment system based on the preferences of both buyers and suppliers resulting in up to 30 pre-scheduled appointments.

“Each elite Hosted Buyer will be invited to participate in this exclusive event where they will be mutually matched with exhibitors that meet their business needs. Hosted Buyers will be chosen based on their authority to organize, influence or make budgetary decisions for meetings, events, incentives and corporate travel. They will come from both the US and overseas,” said Jaime Rosov, IBTM America Event Director.

Hosted Buyers from associations, corporates, incentive houses and agencies are encouraged to apply providing they have potential and future business in the U.S. and international meetings industry.

The Hosted Buyers will meet with suppliers from the industry in the US as well as across the globe at IBTM America which will take place at the Skyline Ballroom at McCormick Place overlooking the Chicago city-scape from 9-11 June 2015.

Those qualifying can expect to be part of a programme that includes a fully hosted itinerary including flights and accommodation, access to a variety of networking events, participation in the new Discovery Day which will include the Knowledge Forum CEU accredited education sessions and the opportunity to apply for a pre or post-event tour.

To find out more about IBTM America 2015, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com