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

EIBTM ADDS FURTHER SUPPORT TO THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN MEETINGS INDUSTRY

EIBTM ADDS FURTHER SUPPORT TO THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN MEETINGS INDUSTRY

http://www.mpiweb.org/Events/EMEC2014

EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), the leading global event for the meeting and events industry, is to enhance its support for the professional development of the European meeting industry through its sponsorship of the annual MPI European Meetings & Events Conference, taking place next week in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sallie Coventry, recently appointed as the new Portfolio Director for the IBTM Global Events Portfolio, announces that Reed Travel Exhibitions and EIBTM will be sponsoring the General Opening Session entitled “Flipping the Model: When Companies Reboot in the World of New Normal” at this year’s EMEC.

Sallie Coventry, commented, “We are delighted to once again be part of the annual EMEC event. At the core of the IBTM portfolio of events, is the Knowledge Programme and our partnership with MPI through education is a key strategic alliance. Our sponsorship of the opening session recognizes the value we place on industry education, not least because the IBTM portfolio itself hosts more than 150 sessions, conferences and workshops every year at its events on 5 continents. Understanding the need for professional qualifications in this industry and the continuing education process we are also in partnership with RecertTrack, the world’s first online portal for re-certification. IBTM Events now gives attendees participating in our global Knowledge education programmes the opportunity to track their industry related professional development activities towards certification or re-certification at http://www.recerttrack.com/assn-meetings.”

The MPI EMEC General Opening session will be held by Peter Hinssen, Co-founder of Across Group and one of Europe’s thought leaders on the impact of technology on our society. The session will provide attendees with an understanding of new business models that are emerging in an era of communications and technology commoditization.

The next EIBTM 2014 will take place from 18th – 20th November, with the EIBTM Forum taking place the day before the exhibition on 17th November. For more information visit http://www.eibtm.com and for details of the IBTM Global Events portfolio go to http://www.ibtmevents.com.

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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.

Site Extends its Strategic Partnership with The IBTM Global Meetings and Events Portfolio

Site Extends its Strategic Partnership with The IBTM Global Meetings and Events Portfolio and Looks Forward to Continued Collaboration on Education and Global Networking Opportunities

As Site, the global association for the motivational events and incentive travel industry, celebrates its 40th anniversary year in 2013 it is only fitting that it also celebrates one of its longest standing industry partnerships with Reed Travel Exhibitions. Today, operating under the banner of The IBTM Global Meetings and Events Portfolio, this partnership has endured and expanded based on like-minded values and commitments to industry education and global networking.

David Sand, Site President 2013 and CEO of Uwin Iwin Incentives stated, “It is evident through Reed’s generous contributions to Site that they understand the responsible role their organization plays in giving back to the associations and professionals in the industry. Each of the IBTM events offers a unique value proposition for conducting business and Site members strongly participate as either hosted buyers or with investment in tradeshow stands. The IBTM Global Meetings and Events Portfolio has a global footprint just like our membership base and this synergy helps both organisations visions for growth tremendously. We are proud that the Site India Chapter is involved with IBTM in the launch of its new IBTM India event this year.”

Craig Moyes, Portfolio Director for Meetings and Events at Reed Travel exhibitions added, “We have always valued the commitment Site has made to our global portfolio of events through education programs and look forward to continuing to build upon this relationship in the future…”

The six IBTM Global events provide access to 5,000 suppliers from 100 countries and 17,000 meeting planners. More than 100,000 pre-scheduled appointments are generated ensuring that the IBTM events providing a significant return on investment. In the 2013 partnership, Site will once again be supporting the hosted buyer program for AIBTM that is being held in Chicago, Site headquarters hometown.

In addition to being significant supporters of industry education and research initiatives, the IBTM Global Meetings and Events Portfolio continues to invest in specialised communities within SITE. Both AIBTM and EIBTM serve as home to the Site Academy for Young Leaders. In addition, many of the IBTM events provide a platform for Site Chapter Leader meetings and sponsor the annual Chapter Excellence award program.