ibtm africa opens today in Cape Town as the African continent is set to record a projected +5% economic growth in 2015

ibtm africa opens today in Cape Town as the African continent is set to record a projected +5% economic growth in 2015
Offering an events programme full of one-to-one business meetings, education sessions and networking opportunities

International Hosted Buyers from 16 countries including the Middle East, Europe, Asia, North America, and Russia, have arrived in Cape Town to attend ibtm africa (www.ibtmafrica.com), a highly targeted, exclusive event for Africa’s incentives and meetings industry.

“Quality is priority and we have worked to bring together attendees who will not only enhance our offering through their attendance from both a buyer and supplier perspective but who will also be able to gain the maximum amount of business from their participation”, commented Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Manager for ibtm africa.

ibtm africa, opening today at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, offers an exclusive opportunity for African meetings industry suppliers to connect and engage with top level international decision makers representing meetings, events and incentive planners from large corporations and agencies.

Companies represented by these qualified buyers at this year’s event include; BI Worldwide China (China), HelmsBriscoe (Turkey), Maesse Marketing Consultancy Ltd. (Germany), Blaycation (Canada), The Scienomics Group (U.S.), Inception Global Ltd. (UK), Haye Incentive Travel (Netherlands), Paragon Europe (Belgium), Speed Sailing International (UK), AstraZenace (Russian Federation), Carlsberg Polska (Poland) and Abbott (United Arab Emirates).

Mark Tiles, Blaycation, attending as a Hosted Buyer from Canada commented, “As a Hosted Buyer, it will be key for me to meet the local experts who can help me source my business travel and incentive solutions. I am hoping to meet with likeminded travel partners who can become my ‘go to’ suppliers in Southern Africa.”

Exhibitors who will be attending ibtm africa 2015, include: African Travel Concept Pacific World, CSIR International Convention Centre, Fairmont Zimbali Resort, Guvon Hotels & Spa, Private Safaris, Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Zanzibar and The Sandton Indaba Hotel and Double Tree by Hilton Cape Town.

ibtm africa will be held over 3 days, with exclusive one-to-one pre-scheduled business appointments, 10 exclusive networking opportunities and the ibtm africa Forum which will open the show, keynote speaker Lynn Baker and James Fernie will deliver inspiring and engaging sessions which will give attendees the opportunity to learn and grow within their career and keep ahead of the evolving industry.

Together with the two other co-located shows – ILTM Africa and World Travel Market – more than 30 industry related debates, forums, conferences, seminars and lectures will be delivered during Africa Travel Week, which will also create further opportunities for participants across all events to build communities and business relationships across the sector and across borders.

To find out more about ibtm africa, please visit www.ibtmafrica.com

Reed Exhibitions appoints Nick Pilbeam as new Travel Divisional Director

Reed Exhibitions appoints Nick Pilbeam as new Travel Divisional Director

Reed Exhibitions has appointed Nick Pilbeam to the position of Divisional Director – Travel.

Press Release: January 2015 – Newly appointed Pilbeam, who brings with him an enormous amount of growth strategy knowledge and industry insight, will head up the travel division of the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions.

The renowned industry events that fall under Reed Travel Exhibitions include the International Luxury Travel Market portfolio, World Travel Market portfolio and the newly branded ibtm events portfolio of global and regional events providing business solutions on 5 continents.  They include ibtm world, ibtm arabia, ibtm africa, ibtm america, ibtm china, ibtm india, AIME and ICOMEX.

Pilbeam who has spent the majority of his career at the British Airways group (now International Airlines Group) moved to Avios, the air miles loyalty program in 2008, and was most recently accountable for the entry and global growth strategies into new markets and new partners. Pilbeam also led the launch of the Avios currency worldwide with British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus programmes including transforming the Airmiles programme in the UK.

More recently, Pilbeam spearheaded Avios’ expansion into South Africa with the launch of the Avios Travel Rewards Programme in that market, securing high profile strategic partners across the finance and retail sectors.

Pilbeam replaces Richard Mortimore, who was promoted to Chief Executive of Reed Exhibitions UK in 2014. Pilbeam will report to Mortimore.

Mortimore said: “We are delighted that Nick has come on board and we are confident that his broad range of expertise and excellent customer awareness will ensure that the strong brands within Reed Travel Exhibitions are continually developed, keeping up with the fast-pace and ever changing nature of the industry.

“I believe that Nick will excel in the role which encompasses multiple shows in a highly competitive, global segment.”

Pilbeam commented: “I am very excited to join Reed Travel Exhibitions on the next step of its journey and help further develop its strong travel brands. All the events are individually hugely respected and I look forward to being a part of it, delivering strategy and meeting global customer needs with such an experienced and dedicated team.”

IBTM AFRICA PARTNERS WITH MICE ACADEMY TO SUPPORT THE CPD

IBTM AFRICA PARTNERS WITH MICE ACADEMY TO SUPPORT THE CPD
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF EVENT PLANNERS IN AFRICA

Oktober 2014 – IBTM Africa, part of the IBTM Global Events portfolio of meetings industry events, is to partner with the MICE Academy to help support the advancement of the next generation of industry professionals in Africa.

The MICE Academy (www.miceacademy.co.za) has created the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme for all sectors of the events and meetings industry through its subscriber based web portal. IBTM Africa will be giving the first 20 contracted exhibitors at next year’s event, an annual subscription funded by Reed Travel Exhibitions and the IBTM Portfolio of Events. Each of these exhibitors will select a member of their staff to undertake the CPD programme through their subscription.

At the same time, those individuals who will undertake the year’s CPD programme will also be invited to attend the IBTM Africa Forum education sessions as well as the networking events.

Helen Brewer, founder of MICE Academy commented on the importance of this new partnership for the industry in Africa and beyond. “This is a significant partnership in that the added value enhances the international ground swell – underway at this time – of determining the experience and knowledge-base of all individuals practicing within the various sectors of the MICE industry.

“CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is the name of the game with more and more seasoned practitioners being tested simply and effectively without leaving their screen with CPD programme accessibility 24/7. Irrespective of the type of established certification programme out there, both acceptance and recertification credits are required in one form or another to gain or retain the specific acronym. Hence whether the Academy’s CPD on-line programme is used as a free-standing credit score accumulation process with recognition and reward or as the most authentic means of credit substantiation for established certification programmes – the MICE Academy’s CPD programme will be a major advantage for IBTM Africa’s exhibitor’s nominated personnel.” She added.

Shinu Pillai, Exhibition Manager for IBTM Africa of the initiative: “We are excited to be partnering with the MICE Academy’s CPD programme which has so many important advantages for the next generation of meeting professionals in this region. The IBTM Global Events portfolio is passionate about its global education programme and empowering individuals with knowledge. IBTM Africa is the most cost effective business platform for African suppliers who are looking to do inbound business from the rest of the world, by helping develop the industry alongside our event, this is the beginning of a journey together.”

The second edition of IBTM Africa taking place in Cape Town (13-15 April) as part of Africa Travel Week, will bring together 60 African suppliers and international buyers for 3 days of business, networking and education.

NEW DYNAMIC FORMAT, NAME, DATES AND LOCATION

IBTM ARABIA
NEW DYNAMIC FORMAT, NAME, DATES AND LOCATION

IBTM Arabia (www.ibtmarabia.com) is the new name spearheading a transformation of the former annual GIBTM show. The event will also have a new location – the 5 star, The St Regis Hotel Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi – with new dates, from 10-12th February 2015.

The key features of IBTM Arabia 2015 include a new exclusive, closed door event format based on mutually matched business appointments, providing more touch points for exhibitors and buyers. In addition to an all- inclusive pricing structure, the new event will also accommodate a one-to-one ratio of Hosted Buyers and exhibitors.

“The new concept is a result of the commentary fed back to us from key industry stakeholders including those from the private and public sectors, as well as other professional MICE organisations,” said Lois Wilcox, Exhibition Manager, IBTM Arabia.

“Foremost in this transformation is that IBTM Arabia will be an all-inclusive solution where an innovative meeting pod design customised with the exhibitor’s corporate branding will give privacy to meetings between Hosted Buyers and exhibitors.

“Exhibitors only pay one price and their meeting pod will be ready upon their arrival so that they can go straight into business meetings. Everything is included in the price; no additional stand costs, freight, or build costs,” added Wilcox.

RTE’s research revealed that the market wanted to prioritise the time given to meetings with premium buyers but in the most cost-effective fashion. IBTM Arabia will feature up to 200 exhibitors, who will be able to meet with the same number of prestigious planners representing the regional and global MICE industry – 50% regional and 50% international, from Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and South America.

All exhibitors and Hosted Buyers can select online whom they would like to schedule a meeting with, and a sophisticated software system will match the appointments, based on the preferences of both buyers and exhibitors.

“That results in up to 30 highly relevant appointments for each exhibitor, 6,000 in total across the event,” said Wilcox.

The name change also provides synergy with the other shows within the IBTM Global Events portfolio.

“The unique concept for the Middle East’s leading MICE event is now similar to IBTM America, IBTM India and IBTM Africa, although the latter two are table top events, the content and concept is virtually the same. One of the integral changes is that we have now effectively levelled the playing field. All exhibitors now have an equivalent amount of floor space and their meeting pod is exactly the same price, size and design, with the exception of their respective corporate branding. We will also have networking functions and a Knowledge Forum for all attendees, creating a community, providing as many business opportunities as possible and maximising return on investment,” said Wilcox.

IBTM Arabia is held with the support of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau – a dedicated entity of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) charged with stimulating the meetings industry in the emirate.

“Given that this transformation has been achieved in association with the industry it serves – both exhibitors and buyers – we believe IBTM Arabia has significant potential for growth and look forward to it helping to stimulate the global, regional and local meetings industry,” said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau.

To find out more, please visit www.ibtmarabia.com

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Over 6.500 one-to-one business appointments at Africa Travel Week

Press Release: 2nd May 2014

The first Africa Travel Week taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) got off to a successful start on 28th April with ILTM Africa (International Luxury Travel Market), IBTM Africa (Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings) and WTM Africa (World Travel Market) which starts today, 2nd May. When the show closes tomorrow, the whole week will have delivered to Africa over 6,500 one-to-one meetings providing an impressive economic impact on the continent’s leisure travel, luxury tourism, and the MICE/business travel sector. All three events are subject to an independent ABC audit of statistics after the shows to ensure full transparency for the industry.

“More important than numbers is the impact that these events have had on those involved. The comments from exhibitors, and buyers have shown that Africa Travel Week and all three events are clearly a vital component to this continent’s travel industry and we go into 2015 with the support of the exhibitors and buyers for next year’s event”, says Sugen Pillay, Business Development Director, Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

Suppliers and buyers have praised the three events as an “excellent new opportunity for Africa’s business development, knowledge enhancement and exclusive networking” in the region but with global relevance.

ILTM Africa exhibitor, Matt Biden representing The Royal Portfolio, said the luxury travel show was better than expected. “We love the international aspect to the Hosted Buyer programme. It has even allowed us to put names to so many international faces and after all, being at ILTM Africa has now saved us on the costs of travel to go and see them!”

IBTM Africa Hosted Buyer Daniel Wood, President of the Freestyle Football Federation, United Kingdom, commented, “IBTM Africa has been a fantastic experience for me. We have an unconventional product but we got a lot out of the two days with very productive meetings. The IBTM Forum was informative with some really interesting speakers. It was great to be able to network and chat with local experienced practitioners who can really testify that this is a market that we should invest in for more events and incentives.”

WTM Africa exhibitor William Cook, of Cooks Tours says he is “amazed with the interest he has already seen in the show. My diary is absolutely fully booked and that has never happened before.”

The final event for the inaugural Africa Travel Week, World Travel Market (WTM) Africa, kicked off today, with over 350 exhibiting companies bringing the world to Africa and promoting Africa to the world’s leading source markets over two days.

The culmination of a joint partnership between global events giant Reed Travel Exhibitions and African events specialist Thebe Reed Exhibitions, Africa Travel Week is dedicated to delivering real business opportunities in a focused way over a period of a week, providing a key industry platform that offers all travel industry professionals the chance to engage in real value business conversations, meet new contacts, exchange ideas, share best practice and learn and network in a fresh new environment.

“This is the first time we have ever undertaken to bring all three of our global brands together in one country in one week. Such a powerful business proposition not only shows the travel industry the diversity of this country’s travel offering to the world’s leading source markets, but it gives Africa the opportunity to be a global player in the leisure, business and luxury tourism sectors. We want to thank the City of Cape Town, the CTICC and Wesgro for their partnership and support in launching all three shows. We believe this is a truly unique proposition and this week has already created some staggering business opportunities as well as giving Cape Town its own introduction to many who have not been here before,” said Sugen.

Dates for Africa Travel Week 2015 are:
· ILTM Africa: 13-15 April 2015

· IBTM Africa: 13 – 15 April 2015

· WTM Africa: 15 – 17 April 2015

To find out more about WTM Africa visit www.wtmafrica.com.

IBTM AFRICA CONFIRMS A STRONG LINE UP OF INTERNATIONAL MICE INDUSTRY BUYERS

IBTM AFRICA CONFIRMS A STRONG LINE UP OF INTERNATIONAL MICE INDUSTRY BUYERS
http://www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

IBTM Africa, part of Africa Travel Week, is gearing up for major business with MICE industry buyers from leading global agency, corporate and association companies qualified to attend the event, which is and takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28th – 30th April 2014.

Major names including Widex India PVT, W&O Events, Capital Travel & Events, Capita Travel & Events, IIMC, Conference Direct and HelmsBriscoe Middle East have also been accepted onto the highly sought after Hosted Buyer Programme.

Bettina Wiethoff, Manager Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe Middle East, commented, “With great flight connections from Dubai to South Africa we have seen an increased interest in the destination, for incentives and MEA regional conferences. Being an international venue finder, we always strive towards suggesting special venues, which guarantee a memorable experience for the delegates. I highly appreciate the efforts in arranging IBTM Africa, which allows the hosted buyers to meet many potential partners at the same time, not only from South Africa, but from other African countries as well. The possible activities and venues Africa has to offer are a perfect fit with the current Meeting Trends, attendees looking for an experience, a sense of place, being in nature. I am very excited to learn more about Africa and introducing its countries to my clients.”

The Hosted Buyer mix for IBTM Africa reflects the main traditional inbound markets for the continent, as well as accommodating a proportion of buyers from the emerging markets including Middle East, Asia and South America.

Exhibiting at IBTM Africa will provide African and Indian Ocean suppliers with the opportunity to conduct mutually matched business appointments with qualified international buyers that have proven budget and business to place in Africa, facilitating fast market penetration through the power of face-to-face meetings. Exhibitors will also be able to gain international exposure and obtain competitive intelligence whilst establishing their company as a key player in the meetings and events industry.

Leading exhibitors who have already signed up to attend IBTM Africa 2014 include: City Lodge Group, One & Only Cape Town, CSIR International, Salute Africa, That’s Africa Travel & Incentives, Private Safaris Destination Management, Shades of Green Safaris Tanzania and SA Reynolds Travel.

Heather Beadle, Groups & Incentives Manage, SA Reynolds Travel, commented, “We believe IBTM Africa is an excellent platform to bring together buyers and suppliers with focus on the inbound market which is an area we are developing and are focusing on in our MICE department. We feel we will be put in touch with the right people who are planning MICE events in South Africa and they will use us as their suppliers. It will create some good business opportunities and offer excellent networking possibilities as well.”

For further information, please see http://www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica.

For further Africa Travel Week information, please see http://www.africatravelweek.com.

HOSTED BUYER REGISTRATION OPENS FOR IBTM AFRICA

HOSTED BUYER REGISTRATION OPENS FOR IBTM AFRICA

The organisers of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio have today announced that Hosted Buyer registration has gone live for IBTM Africa (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica), which is set to take place in the Cape Town Convention Centre, Cape Town (28-30 April 2014).

The Hosted Buyer Programme will provide meetings industry buyers with the opportunity to meet and do business with a number of suppliers from across the continent, with pre-scheduled appointments being mutually matched ahead of the show.

IBTM Africa will personally select 50 meetings professionals based on their business influence and buying power in the region, each of whom will be international senior decision makers from Europe, Americas, Middle East and Asia Pacific, representing corporations, associations and agencies.

Successful applicants will be able to take advantage of a number of exclusive benefits including a personal diary of approximately 36 business appointments with African & Indian Ocean MICE exhibitors, complimentary 4/5* accommodation and transfers, a substantial contribution towards international flights to Cape Town and access to a number of exclusive networking events.

David Dodgeon, Green Route, who will attend IBTM Africa with a group of qualified international buyers commented, “Trade shows are one of the most effective ways of obtaining and securing new business. We have supported EIBTM, the flagship event of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio since the early days and we are very pleased to be bringing a group of 16 International Buyers to their new show set to launch in Africa.

“Africa provides a perfect meetings industry destination for a number of reasons. The continent offers a huge contrast in terms of culture and history and is well situated in terms of flight routes and global access.”

To find out more about IBTM Africa or to register to attend as a Hosted Buyer please visit www.ibtmevents.com/hosted or email ibtmafrica@reedexpo.co.uk

For press enquiries, please contact:

Cut Communications
Nina Gardiner
Tel: +44 (0) 208 334 4004
Mob: +44 (0)7770 306 689
Email: nina.gardiner@cut-coms.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SET TO BOOST MICE MARKET IN AFRICA

Press Release: 7th January 2014 – BTM Africa (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) confirms significant international buyer interest for first event set to take place from 28-30 April 2014

The rapidly growing demand for meetings industry suppliers within Africa, has been reflected in the unprecedented interest witnessed from International Hosted Buyers applying to attend the first IBTM Africa, (www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica) set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa.

David Dodgeon, Green Route, who will attend IBTM Africa with a group of qualified international buyers commented, “Trade shows are one of the most effective ways of obtaining and securing new business. We have supported EIBTM, the flagship event of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio since the early days and we are very pleased to be bringing a group of 16 International Buyers to their new show set to launch in Africa.

“Africa provides a perfect meetings industry destination for a number of reasons. The continent offers a huge contrast in terms of culture and history and is well situated in terms of flight routes and global access. The table-top format which IBTM Africa will offer, will allow us to spend quality one-to-one time with potential clients.”

Part of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Africa Travel Week, IBTM Africa will reflect the core values of the IBTM Global Events Portfolio providing one-to-one business appointments, education and networking over an exclusive tabletop format.

IBTM Africa will match 50 regional exhibitors through a pre-scheduled appointment system with 50 qualified Hosted Buyers from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, all of whom will have proven purchasing power and guaranteed business to place in Africa.

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions, IBTM Africa commented, “We are extremely excited about the launch of IBTM Africa within our IBTM Global Events Portfolio. Africa is emerging rapidly as a destination of choice when it comes to hosting meetings and incentives, with many global associations looking to include Africa in their rotation patterns.”

IBTM Africa will provide the opportunity for 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers including Hotels and Venues, National/State Tourism Organisations and Convention Bureaux, Travel Management Companies, Destination Management Companies, Event Management Companies, Professional Conference Organisers, Airlines, Technology, Business Travel and MICE related suppliers to showcase their products to an international audience of Hosted Buyers attending.

Pillai concludes, “ As the world’s largest organiser for meetings and incentive exhibitions, we are committed to providing all of our attendees with the best level of return on investment for their participation. Each international Hosted Buyer attending will participate in a minimum of 36 pre-scheduled business appointments, which will ensure that every supplier attending will achieve a significant amount of opportunities to showcase their products to an international audience.”

For further information, please see www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica. For further Africa Travel Week information, please see www.africatravelweek.com.

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

IBTM AFRICA TEAM GO ON THE ROAD

EARLY SIGNS SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR FIRST IBTM AFRICA
www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Following on from a successful partnership with Kenya Tourism Board, SITE and ICCA that organised the first MICE Seminar to take place in Kenya this month, Reed Travel Exhibitions took the opportunity to update some 50 attendees from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on the upcoming launch of IBTM Africa which is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 28-30 April 2014 as part of Africa Travel Week, www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica

Shinu Pillai, Project Manager for IBTM Africa outlined the format of next year’s inaugural event, siting the success of the inaugural IBTM India, which took place in September and was the first 3 day table top event of its kind for the meetings industry in Asia. IBTM Africa will follow this successful format and proven business model that is also used across other Reed Travel Exhibitions’ events. Delivering up to 50 African and Indian Ocean suppliers of products and services to the MICE industry through pre-arranged meetings with international Hosted Buyers, this will be the first focused MICE event of its kind in Africa that will also include the IBTM Africa Conference.

Hosted Buyer registration will go live on the IBTM Africa website in December and advance interest has already been significant from international buyers. Through the pre-scheduled appointment system, this event will allow both exhibitors and buyers to mutually match their appointments. Details will soon be announced about the Post Event Tour programme available to selected Hosted Buyers attending IBTM Africa.

Steve McCormick, The Explorer Club, Southern and Eastern Africa was one of the exhibitors at IBTM India and confirmed that they will be part of IBTM Africa as well commented, “India was a first for us and the show was a huge success. The queries and information requested by some quality appointments demonstrated that India is an emerging incentive market interested in Africa. We are also hoping that IBTM Africa will attract global interest in group and incentive travel to The Victoria Falls and the surrounding region”.

IBTM Africa will also feature a half-day conference and seminar programme, with keynote and industry topics.

For further information, please see http://www.ibtmevents.com/ibtmafrica.
www.africatravelweek.com.