INDEPENDENT SURVEY CONFIRMS CHICAGO AS FAVOURED LOCATION FOR US MEETINGS & EVENTS TRADE SHOW

INDEPENDENT SURVEY CONFIRMS CHICAGO AS FAVOURED LOCATION FOR US MEETINGS & EVENTS TRADE SHOW

Following on from a successful AIBTM (www.aibtm.com), Reed Travel Exhibitions conducted an independent survey amongst over 6,000 buyers and suppliers within the IBTM Global Events Portfolio database to identify trends for the US as a destination for a trade show for the meetings and events marketplace.

When asked to consider the most important criteria for exhibitors to attend an event, the overwhelming majority said that quality of buyers and the reputation of the event were the priority. Those surveyed in the trade visitor category confirmed that the subject matter of the tradeshow and the quality of exhibiting companies are the two most important reasons for attending a tradeshow.

Hosted Buyers who attended AIBTM 2012 showed some of the highest satisfaction levels of the event so far, with 90% indicating they are likely to return in 2013 to Chicago. 93% of attendees expected to place business as a result of their attendance and 97% felt that the pre-scheduled appointment system (a new introduction to the US exhibition industry) matched their business requirements and is now an important factor of AIBTM.

Craig Moyes, Portfolio Director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented, “as the world’s leading event organizer for this industry, our core brand values are based on our reputation in delivering quality Hosted Buyers and this remains the key to our success. Equally to ensure there is total transparency, we also have our events independently audited so that our stakeholders can see exactly how many Hosted Buyers attended rather than rely on an organizer claiming the numbers”.

Additional post show research undertaken to find out the reactions to AIBTM 2012 and the move of the event to Chicago identified that 80% of trade buyers are likely to attend AIBTM 2013 and 92% would recommend the event to a colleague. Satisfaction levels by exhibitors were some of the highest recorded with 90% of exhibitors happy with the event, and 88% likely to return when it moves to Chicago. 90% were satisfied with the quality of buyers from the US and the same percentage confirmed that they generated sales leads and inquiries as a result of their attendance.

Michael Tarr, CMP, Vice President, Convention Sales, Choose Chicago comments on the new location for AIBTM in 2013, “We are confident that Chicago’s premier convention facility, in conjunction with the city’s unparalleled dining scene, exceptional cultural attractions, shopping and endless nightlife options will ensure AIBTM’s success next year and in years to come”.

Over 50 exhibitors re-booked onsite and immediately after the show including Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, Philadelphia CVB, Jamaica Tourist Board, Visit Orlando, AMResorts, Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau & Sports Commission, Hello USA!, Sonesta Collection, IHG-InterContinental Hotels Group, Greater Boston CVB, Marriott International, Cvent, Experient, Dominican Republic Tourism Board, Moscow Exhibition and Convention Agency and more.

AIBTM 2013 will take place at McCormick Place, Chicago from June 11th through June 13th, 2013 and will be hosted by Choose Chicago. Companies interested in exhibiting at AIBTM 2013 should contact Nancy Walker, Sales Director for AIBTM.

Rush of Bookings for Chicago 2013

AIBTM 2012 The Americas Meetings Week Closes With a Rush of Bookings for Chicago 2013
Exhibitors from around the world and across the United States reported that business was brisk with Hosted Buyer appointments, group presentations and drop-in traffic at this week’s AIBTM 2012 in Baltimore.

The structure of this year’s AIBTM Americas Meetings Week kicked off with a day of education and more than 2,250 people in attendance, over 50% up on the previous year. The number of exhibiting companies on the show floor also increased, up from 183 to 194 including 55 new to the event this year, and all resulting in a 5% increase in overall growth of the event.

Education was a highlight with a variety of speakers, sessions and keynotes. Supported by all of the major industry associations including PCMA, ICCA, Site, ACTE, MPI. Taking place pre-show enabled both exhibitors and Hosted Buyers to attend sessions that included PCMA Executive Edge, Site Young Leaders Program, MPI’s Practitioner Series and many others. Research also formed part of the continuing program including the delivery of MPI’s updated BVOM and Eric Rozenberg, non-exec Chair of RTE’s global meetings and events portfolio presented the first US regional version of the AIBTM Global Meetings Research findings (www.aibtm.com). New this year was a number of keynote sessions which kicked off each day with innovation, motivation and inspiration as the lead topics. Speakers included Roger Rickard, Partner and Chief Advocate of Revent LLC, Peggy Duncan, Personal Productivity Expert and Alfredo Quinones aka Dr Q among the many.

Commenting on one of the live panel discussions on public policy and the meetings and travel industry, Lindsey Lassiter, Navy League of the United States said “I work for a military meeting association, so most of our events include active-duty personnel. It is helpful to know if we are going in the right direction or need to go in another direction. We work closely with a lot of legislative folks, so it is good to know we are doing the right thing”.

The second CEO Summit welcomed some 30 industry leaders from the US and around the world who had anticipated the stream of knowledge and opportunities the private event would offer. “For me, I look forward to the opportunity to hear trends and projections on the future of the meetings industry and business in general”, said attendee Michael Owen, CEO and managing partner of EventGenuity LLC in Nashville. “But as important as anything else is the peer connection and in my view after attending maybe half a dozen EIBTM CEO Summits this was the best ever. It was provocative and it gave me inspired thought that I can apply directly and immediately to my business”. He added.

The first “Market Focus SPOTLIGHT on Europe” debuted on the final morning with a turnout of approximately 162 Hosted Buyers and some 15 European exhibitors conducting open-market style appointments and mixing with each other to discuss business in Europe. The one hour session had been organised as a direct response to the AIBTM 2011 post-show research, which confirmed that 60% of US Hosted Buyers have a direct interest in placing business internationally.

This year’s Hosted Buyer programme had representatives from 29 countries. “First, I really like AIBTM because I can meet with so many different vendors in one place,” said Samantha Friedman of Resort Meetings Consortium in Chicago. “I also like booking my appointments so I get a mix of what I want. I have been to other Hosted Buyer programmes where there are too many appointments in a day, so you are exhausted at the end. I have seven today and I can spread things out so I can attend some education sessions and look around the exhibits that are interesting”.

Packing in even more appointments into her day was Maggie Johnston, with Assurex Global in Dublin, Ohio who attended AIBTM last year. “When I come to a show like this, I like the Hosted Buyer programme” she said. “I have 15 appointments today, more than scheduled last year, so I can meet with the people I need to talk to. I like getting into a routine and I get a lot of business done as well as connecting names to faces.”

Donna Hunt from HelmsBriscoe summed up her experience simply. “I am very much impressed with the exhibits. I have been to other shows where you walk around and you can’t always get the information you want, so I like this format”.

By the close of play the show floor had already booked over 50 exhibitors for Choose Chicago which will be the next host city for AIBTM from June 11th – 13th 2013. Those already signed include; Las Vegas Meetings by Caesars Entertainment, Event Ready, Greater Raleigh CVB, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Long Beach CVB, Philadelphia CVB, PSAV Presentation Services, Star Travel DMC, Visit Charlotte, IHG, Hyatt Hotels, Dominican Republic, Canada, Greater Miami, Marriott, Melia Hotels, Moscow Exhibition & Convention Agency, Nassau, Napa Valley, NYC & Company, Philadelphia Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, MGM Resorts, Myrtle Beach, Vienna, Vancouver Hotel Destination Association, The Peabody Orlando, San Francisco Travel Association, Rosen Hotels & Resorts and Hello USA.

“Two years on and it’s great to see that AIBTM has established itself in the US. The quality of education, business concluded and networking achieved gives us a positive close to this event and a great launch pad for our move to Chicago.” said Craig Moyes, Portfolio Director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

Finally, it was announced during the show that AIBTM will rotate starting with 2013 in Choose Chicago at McCormick Place and in 2014 at Orlando Florida and the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). The dates will be:

Choose Chicago: June 11th – 13th 2013

Orlando, Florida: June 10th – 12th 2014