ibtm america post show survey results

ibtm america post show survey results – THE BEST  EVENT TO DATE

The second ibtm america that took place in Nashville in June, was one of the best according to the event’s post show survey. Customer loyalty and satisfaction achieved the highest scores and exhibitors confirmed that they met with the “right audience that was important to their business” with over 90% saying they expect to get results from their attendance.

“We look to the results of this research to see what enhancements we need to make for next year, but we are delighted that ibtm america is evolving to meet the needs of the industry. The newly introduced 100% Mutual Match appointment system has given a real advantage for business opportunities between both buyers and suppliers.  This was clearly illustrated and mentioned as a key factor for the increase in both Hosted Buyer and Exhibition satisfaction this year” said Jaime McAuley, Event Director for ibtm america http://www.ibtmamerica.com

Nearly 70% of exhibitors expressed an interest in returning for ibtm america 2017 which will take place at the Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa in Southern Florida (June 14-16).  Highlighted as offering a “good return on investment”

Steve Parker, Vice President Digitell Inc will be exhibiting again next year. “We have several promising prospects in the pipeline, our sales cycle can be long.  We go into ibtm america 2017 with the same business objectives because the types of buyers I met seemed more interested in our services than those I meet at other shows, so the follow-up response has been very good.  I can only credit this to the ibtm process of getting buyers”.

The fresh new format that offers up to 30 pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between suppliers and pre-qualified meeting and event planners offers exhibitors an all-inclusive price for a pre-built meeting pod.  All the supplier is required to do is bring their own company branding to dress their pod, and business can begin as soon as the show starts.

Each exhibitor is asked about their business objectives for ibtm america, so that the Hosted Buyer team can then seek the best matched event planner.  “Our team will engage with every exhibitor to discuss who they want to do business with.  The recruitment will then be based on the information received.  This, together with the pre-scheduled Mutual Match where exhibitors lead the way in choosing their appointments and then the Buyer does the same, has clearly positioned ibtm america as a must attend event for the industry”.  Added McAuley.

Hosted Buyers who were personally selected and invited to attend also said that the variety of exhibitors that participated in the event provided the “important business opportunity” and the event is a “must attend” for them each year.

“I am here to focus on destinations and venues and I got to meet with who I wanted, but also really loved connecting through the networking which gave me extra contacts.  As I am on the worldwide events team I have been meeting people through the networking and socializing which helps to create a spark and that’s another business opportunity as it helps if we want to do that business together!  I really did enjoy ibtm america and its been inspiring for me personally as I also got to meet other Hosted Buyers to share their ideas which ultimately helps me do my job even better” added Annabel Heydorn, Herbalife International

NASHVILLE ROCKS IBTM AMERICA 2016

NASHVILLE ROCKS IBTM AMERICA 2016

ibtm america held last week at Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort Nashville, exclusively connected the US and international meetings industry through a mix of business, education and networking. Kicking off with Discovery Day, where over 500 attendees experienced downtown Music City and the legendary Honky Tonks, the private event continued at the Gaylord Convention Center with some 5000 one-to-one mutually matched business appointments and 18.5 hours of networking opportunities over 2.5 days.

Tailored to the US market, the event was dominated by North America, Mexico, Canada and Caribbean suppliers that included hotel brands, convention centers, incentive destinations, CVB’s, NTO’s, Cruise Lines and tech suppliers. Each exhibitor has an all inclusive, uniformed Meeting Pod, which just requires their own branding so that clients just show up, sit down and start their business meetings.

First tier cities this year included NYC & Company, Greater Miami CVB, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and Detroit Metro CVB as well as Great Fort Lauderdale the destination for ibtm america in 2017. Some 2/3rd of exhibitors returned from their success at last year’s event.

Alex Michaels, Director of Sales for Virginia’s Blue Ridge “loved the privacy of the meeting pods” adding “We have been non-stop since Wednesday. I have really had a chance to have enough time with each buyer to explain about us and who we are and all in private. The mutual match has given me real appointments and planners who are already interested in us. I really believe I have met some great contacts for my business”.

This year’s international exhibitors included Costa Del Sol Convention Bureau, Valencia Region Tourist Board, Busan, Visit Flanders (Belgium), India Tourist Office, Turespana and Dubai Business Events.

Ishrat Alam – Tourist Information Officer, India Tourism confirmed the success of the event: “We have attended every year since the beginning of this event. Last year we picked up many leads but 2 of them will definitely turn into business in 2017. We know that any MICE business leads can take up to 2-3 years to make happen, but this has always proved to be a great ROI and it has given us the opportunity to really explain our experiential high end incentive and meetings products face to face. The mutual match appointment system is very good indeed.”

The Hosted Buyer program included 86% domestic USA and 14% international, (based on the research among exhibitors) including Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Russia, Spain, Sweden, UAE and UK.
Exhibitor’s had requested planners from the corporate sector, as well as incentive planners as their priority – the first time this sector was at the event – associations and agency made up the rest.

Thomas L Fagan, Jr, PE, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) said of his attendance: “We are the world’s largest not for profit association. In 2015 we had 1300 meetings worldwide. I am here looking at various hotels, venues and CVB’s and have found a number of opportunities. I had 18 serious appointments of which some will wind up getting business placed. We are looking at events up to 5 years ahead – it used to be 10 years but the lead time has now shortened. I have been to ibtm america for the past 3 years – it works for me”.

The top 5 products of interest identified by Hosted Buyers for their appointments this year were Conference and meeting venues, resorts and spas, destinations and non-hotel special event venues. Planners represented blue chip companies such as American Express, Colgate-Palmolive, National Association of African American Studies, Global Cynergies, Wells Fargo, The International Ecotourism Society, Herballife International, Maritz and many others.

The show floor had new features this year with a focus on Technology, displayed around a central hub that also enabled more connections to be made over breaks in the appointments schedule, the TechCollective showcased latest and emerging technologies, from start-ups and entrepreneurs highlighting new ideas for the industry through live demonstrations.

“Building a community for this industry is a key ingredient to the success of ibtm america and this year Nashville bought everyone together for a southern style US meetings experience. The mutual match system of appointments was refined still further to produce the highest quality of real business prospects, resulting in some great praise from our exhibitors and buyers. Designing a system that allows both buyers and suppliers to choose who they want to meet with from the outset of their journey with us, and then making this happen has produced some remarkable results and 100% of appointments that each party wanted to have for their diary – nearly 30 over the 1.5 business days”.

Continuing to rotate ibtm america to the country’s top meetings cities, The Hilton Diplomat Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale will be the home of the event next year. Having received top honors from TripAdvisor and Orbitz, the property was also named a top 100 Meeting Hotel by Cvent.

ibtm america will take place from June 14 – 16 2017
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#ibtm #ibtmameric #MICE #MICEnews #IEEE #CVB #NTO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

FLORIDA SET TO BE DESTINATION FOR 2017 IBTM AMERICA EVENT

Press Release: 1st December 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ibtm america announces Nashville for 2016 event

ibtm america announces Nashville for 2016 event
www.ibtmamerica.com

ibtm america, part of ibtm events, has confirmed that the 2016 event will take place from June 15-17, 2016 at the award winning Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center), ranked in the top 10 of Cvent’s 2014 Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a luxury resort showcasing some of the best meetings facilities that Nashville has to offer and is just minutes from Nashville International Airport as well as a short drive or riverboat cruise from downtown. The center also presents fine dining, 9 acres of lush indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls and a full-service spa.

“As part of our strategy to experience the most dynamic business destinations, we are delighted to be not only taking ibtm to Nashville, but to be using the spectacular facilities of this world class resort” said Jaime McAuley, ibtm america Event Director.

Industry Education and Wellness Merge in ibtm america’s 2015 “ConnectZone”

Industry Education and Wellness Merge in ibtm america’s 2015 “ConnectZone”

To deliver on this year’s show theme “Connections Mean Everything,” ibtm america 2015 (www.ibtmamerica.com) has created a ConnectZone with thought-provoking, bite-sized education sessions and body / mind wellness activities to help attendees engage, unwind and “get enlightened” in Chicago from 9-11 June.

“We recognise that having a unique and enjoyable experience is key to making business connections at our show this year,” said Jaime McAuley, Event Director. “As a result, we’ve combined last year’s popular Innovation and Refresh Zones into a new concept for our appointment-focused event to create a learning environment that’s both physically and mentally stimulating for our buyers and exhibitors.”

The new ConnectZone, in collaboration with The Meeting Pool, will offer a number of unique activities for both Hosted Buyers and exhibitors to experience outside of business appointment hours. The Spotlight Stage, brought to you by Certain Inc., a favorite from last year, will be returning with bite-sized education on various topics. Planned sessions include:

“Standing Yoga” – with Dr. Kim of X-bytes and Sound Off Headphone Technology
“Two Ingredients For Winning Proposals” – Debbie Mayo-Smith
Tech presentation from Poken, an official ibtm america sponsor
“Trends in Sitting – Start with Standing!” – Matthew Broderick
“Green, Local & Sustainable F&B Trends” – Savor Chicago at McCormick Place
“Trends in Tea for Wellness and Energy”
“Apps For Work Life Balance” – Dahlia El Gazzar
“Fitness & Stretch Break” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off
“Sound and Silence Solutions for Your Events” – Silent Events Company
“Hotel & Travel Workout Tips” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off
“Essential Oils For Your Health and Environment” – Matthew Broderick
Tech presentation from Certain, an official ibtm america sponsor
“Fashion Show & Style” – Bloomingdale’s
“Health & Fitness Latest Gadgets and Tech” – Dahlia El Gazzar
“Take Care of Your Feet for Whole Body Health” – Eric Huffman
“Managing F&B for Good with Live Chef Demo” – Jiwon McCartney
“Close Fine Tuned Fitness” – Dr. Kim and Sound Off

In addition to the Spotlight Stage, the ConnectZone will bring back a few other attendee favorites as well as some new activities designed to stimulate wellbeing. Some of the offerings include:

TECHbar – Part of last year’s Innovation Zone, the new and improved TECHbar will provide additional interactive education, as well as “iPad Makeovers,” where exhibitors and Hosted Buyers can take their photo on the preloaded app and plan their makeover for the Beauty Bar.
Meditation Lounge – Hosted by Silent Events Company, the Meditation Lounge will feature six headsets loaded with a choice of 3 meditations – the perfect place to come and relax and charge your device! The company will also teach you how to incorporate meditation into your events.
Reflexology & Acupressure – Learn about your overall health as it stems from your feet with a reflexology treatment from Chicago’s leading reflexologists. Treatments also include acupressure.
Posture Therapy – Join therapist Matthew Broderick of MFB Wellness as he teaches us how to adjust your posture to ensure ideal comfort during your meetings and beyond!
Fashion & Style Show – On Thursday, retail leader Bloomingdale’s will be putting on a 20-minute fashion show. Additionally, Bloomingdale’s representatives will provide gift bags and coupons to attendees during ConnectZone hours.
Beauty and Nail Bar – To prepare for your new headshots, head over to the Beauty and Nail bar and indulge in a manicure courtesy of Manicube. Other beauty offerings TBD.
The HeadShotLOUNGETM – Photographer Chuck Fazio brings his expertise to help prime attendees for some new business headshots.
Corporate Social Responsibility – Interested in participating in some charitable activity? Dress for Success, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes economic independence for disadvantaged women, will be onsite to collect clothing donations. The group provides women with professional attire, a network of support and career development tools needed to help thrive in both work and life. Also participating is Fight2Feed, a 501c non-profit organisation with the mission to eliminate hunger in Chicago by utilising leftovers from restaurants and the mobility of food trucks to reduce food waste and feed those who need it most.
The Style Corner – Stella & Dot will showcase this summer’s hottest trends to help you become your best self. Don’t miss Stella & Dot’s sneak-peak at products to come, and if you make a purchase, proceeds go to Ovarian Cancer research. Additionally, get a taste of South Asian culture with a Henna tattoo from local Chicago Henna artists.
Snack Zone – Sample some of Chicago’s finest at the Snack Zone, Vendors include Garrett’s popcorn.

The ConnectZone will be open on Wednesday 10 June from 10:50am – 12:15pm and 3:25pm – 3:55pm, and again on Thursday from 10:15am – 10:45am and 11:25am – 12:25pm.

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

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

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.”

STRONG INTEREST FROM REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HOSTED BUYERS FOR IBTM AMERICA

STRONG INTEREST FROM REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HOSTED BUYERS FOR IBTM AMERICA
“Exhibitors requesting buyers according to their objectives”

Working in partnership with ibtm america exhibitors, the new format 2015 event is in the process of recruiting buyers who exhibitors have specifically requested according to their business objectives. Registrations are currently being qualified and already represent some of the leading associations across the US including: Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO, National Air Traffic Controllers Association and National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates, that have been confirmed to attend the show.

Qualified corporate buyers attending the show also include The Wendy’s Company, (ISC)2, Mars Petcare, Wintrust Mortgage and Sharp Healthcare among others.

Hosted Buyers will come from North America, South America, Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa, and are qualified under a strict criteria that includes; proof of their purchasing authority, annual U.S. and international meetings and events business organised, confirmation of their annual budget and future business to place at ibtm america.

The new show format will have up to 250 suppliers who will meet with 250 carefully selected planners in the US and international MICE industry on a 1:1 ratio. All exhibitors and buyers select who they would like to have appointments with and a sophisticated software system matches the preferences of buyers and suppliers resulting in up to 30 pre-scheduled mutually matched appointments.

Taking advantage of this new dynamic event format, exhibitors already confirmed to attend ibtm america 2015 include Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (U.S.), Dolce Hotels & Resorts (U.S.), etouches (U.S.), Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (U.S.), Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce (U.S.), Jamaica Tourist Board (Jamaica), Langham Hotels International (Hong Kong), Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau (U.S.), Marriott International Inc (U.S.), quickmobile (Canada), Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB (U.S.) and Wyndham Hotel Group (U.S.).

“Hosted Buyer registration has begun and the process of building this new community is taking shape. When everyone is onsite, those attending ibtm america will join together for tailored networking events, and the inspirational ibtm america professional Knowledge Forum, part of Discovery Day,” said Jaime Rosov, ibtm america Event Director.

To find out more about ibtm america 2015, please visit www.ibtmamerica.com

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