Milestone Index Study on Incentive Travel to be Produced by SITE, IRF and FICP Collaboration

Milestone Index Study on Incentive Travel to be Produced by SITE, IRF and FICP Collaboration

1 May 2018 Chicago, IL: The volunteer and management leadership of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP), and the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) are proud to announce the development of the industry’s first joint index study: The Incentive Travel Industry Index powered by SITE Index, IRF Outlook and FICP. This collaboration will constitute a landmark for the industry by providing unprecedented, consolidated insight into where the incentive travel industry is headed.

The Incentive Travel Industry Index, produced on an annual basis, will provide a forecast and analysis of business conditions, attitudes and expectations impacting the incentive travel and motivational events industry. It will explore how the various industry challenges are impacting market growth for both buyers and suppliers and will provide leading indicators of future trends.

This consolidated piece of research, executed by JD Power, will be the definitive annual index of the state of the Incentive Travel Industry and its major trends. Key benefits of the study include:
Provides necessary decision-making insights and trends for corporate meeting and incentive planners, third parties and suppliers of the Incentive Travel industry on an annual basis
Based on a single unique, all-encompassing questionnaire avoiding cross-industry duplication and consistency
Will be released early enough to coincide with the marketing and budgeting cycle of most organizations
Promoted by an extensive go-to-market plan and sessions held at the various associations’ events as well as major trade shows

Didier Scaillet, CIS, Melissa Van Dyke and Steve Bova, the respective executive leaders of SITE, IRF and FICP issued a joint statement saying, “Along with our individual organization’s esteemed Board of Directors and Trustees, we look forward to continuing to amplify our respective roles as leading voices within the incentive travel industry and to helping our industry grow from this ground-breaking collaboration.”

The collaboration hopes to release the survey instrument for response as early as late May with results available in late summer.

About SITE
SITE, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence is the only global organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the incentive travel industry. SITE members help companies maximize workforce output by creating and delivering incentive travel programs that inspire people to exceed expectations and transcend their goals. Our research proves the ROI for incentive travel, which is a powerful business tool that strengthens employee retention, improves performance and fosters a culture of thoughtful motivation and sustained success. www.SITEglobal.com.

About FICP
FICP is a community of financial services and insurance industry meetings and events professionals dedicated to developing members, and advocating the positive impact and value of their work. We elevate the profession by leveraging partnerships and our members’ collective skills and experiences to create purposeful interactions for all stakeholders whose professional success is linked to our members’ work. Learn more at www.ficpnet.com.

About IRF
The Incentive Research Foundation (TheIRF.org) funds and promotes research to advance the science and enhance the awareness and appropriate application of motivation and incentives in business and industry globally. The goal is to increase the understanding, effective use, and resultant benefits of incentives to businesses that currently use incentives and others interested in improved performance.

---

#TheIRF #IRF #FICP #SITE #MICE #MICEnews #MICEbusiness #MICEindustry #CIS #TourismNews

The DMC Network Celebrates Third Annual Exchange in Indianapolis, Indiana

The DMC Network Celebrates Third Annual Exchange in Indianapolis, Indiana

The Third Annual DMC Network Exchange took place August 23 – 26, 2017 with 110 clients and DMC Network partners coming together in the wonderful city of Indianapolis, Indiana. Accent Indy, the DMC Network partner for the destination, created and hosted the group in their hometown state.

Previously held in Los Cabos and Lake Tahoe, the three-day educational and networking event included unique experiences at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where guests were invited to ride around the track with professional drivers and kick a field goal at Lucas Oil Stadium. Attendees also got to experience ‘Indy like a local’ through a variety of planned afternoon activities that included a bike tour and Segway tour through Indy’s cultural trail, visiting top local Breweries and golfing in the sunshine, to name just a few. In addition, the DMC Network partnered with Teachers Treasures to create a give-back experience for the attendees that provided much needed school supplies and backpacks to the community of Indianapolis.

Educational sessions on the US Economy with Economist Chris Kuehl and a panel discussion with Michael Dominguez (Chief Sales Officer of MGM Resorts International), Leonard Hoops, (President and CEO of Visit Indy), Kevin Hinton, (Chief Executive Officer for SITE) and Darrell Tamosuinas, (President of Teneo Hospitality Group) on crisis management, current trends and destination marketing ensured both DMC Network partners and their clients were given plenty of food for thought.

The city of Indianapolis truly shone during the program with exceptional dining experiences at St. Elmos and Char Blue as well as signature themed evening events including Indypalooza and a Classic 80’s dinner with guest appearances by “Prince” and “Michael Jackson”!

The DMC Network’s tagline, ‘’We’re there for you!” came into special relief at the event as an expression of each partner’s commitment to their clients but also to their destination. “DMC Network members share a deeply held conviction that our brand promise has to be more than mere lip service. It must be lived out in how we treat our people, our teams, our clients, and particularly, our destination. This clearly means giving back to the communities we depend upon for the work we do” said Dan Tavrytzky, Managing Director of the DMC Network.

Accent Indy President, Shannon Gardiner, DMCP added “In the case of Indianapolis, we invited all of our guests to participate in a healthful “Rise & Shine” program each morning that included walking tours of the city, canal by sunrise and gentle flow Yoga. During the program, several local non-profit associations were invited to meet with the DMC Network team and Industry press in an effort to give profile to the amazing work that is being done locally to make Indianapolis the warm and welcoming city that it is today. Teacher’s Treasures, Dress for Success, Back on My Feet Indianapolis, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and PUP (People for Urban Progress) were all a part of this year’s program.” At the end of an action packed, thought provoking and truly “purposeful” 3 days, Matt Cuevas, incoming Chair for the DMC Network in 2018 officially announced the destination for the Fourth Annual DMC Network Client Exchange: Panama, June 28th – July 1st 2018.

About Accent Indy
Founded in 1989, Accent Indy provides a complete range of destination management services to corporations, associations and conventions hosting their meeting in Central Indiana. Accent Indy are uncompromising when it comes to acting in the best interest of their clients and partners. From event design and transportation logistics to engaging entertainment and customized activities, they provide strategic solutions to ensure program objectives are met with ease. They specialize in exceeding the needs of their clients with services and products designed to make each program an exceptional and memorable experience.
The Accent Indy team includes the only Destination Management Certified Professionals (DMCP) in Indiana and are the only DMC in the state accredited by the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI). In addition, Accent Indy is the exclusive Indiana member of the DMC Network; a consortium of independently-owned DMC’s whose memberships are earned through a stringent selection and oversight process ensuring strict adherence to ethical and operation guidelines and quality service.

About the DMC Network, LLC
The DMC Network brings connection to a community of accredited, owner-managed DMCs whose unsurpassed local relationships, knowledge and expertise offer peace of mind and consistent program delivery. Unique in the industry, the DMC Network is an LLC of the top-performing, independently owned DMCs throughout North America. With an average of over 25 years in business and more than twice as many accredited DMCs as any other DMC consortium or company, each DMC Network member delivers unsurpassed knowledge of their market and a confidence that they are a sound, professional organization that consistently exceeds clients’ expectations. With an insider’s knowledge, the DMC Network makes it effortless for their clients to produce meetings and events around the world. Through their alliance with Ovation Global DMC, their reach is extended across five continents. www.dmcnetwork.com

—
#site #dmcnetwork #destinationmarketing #destinationnews #MICEnews #MICEindustry

Scott Eames appointed Director Global Sales North America for Pacific World

Scott Eames appointed Director Global Sales North America for Pacific World

Pacific World, (www.pacificworld.com), the leading global DMC and Event Management announces today the addition of Scott Eames to their Global Sales organization. Scott will be based in New York and confirms their increased investment in relationships with clients in the North America market.

“In response to an increase in demand for Pacific World expertise for global outbound events Scott is an important addition to the international sales team in delivering events in over 35 destinations.” Says Selina Chavry.

Scott Eames is a veteran hospitality professional with over 21 years of experience in the meetings and events arena.  Early on in his career, Scott’s focus was in the tradeshow and association event markets, eventually working his way into the Strategic Meetings Management space where he excelled at designing and supporting Fortune 500 client programs in streamlining and consolidating meeting and events operations.

Prior to joining PW, Scott served in a number of senior sales positions, including Global Sales Director in Allied PRA and Director of Business Development – Strategic Sales in Carlson Wagonlit Travel Meetings & Events, focusing on large global and multinational Fortune 200 firms.  In these positions, Scott consulted with numerous leading pharmaceutical, financial and technology organizations, which required an understanding of each client’s culture, needs and goals.

Scott is a member of the FICP, SITE including board membership of the Northeast Chapter of SITE, Meeting Professionals International, the Global Business Travel Association, Professional Convention Management Association, and In addition, Eames earned his NBTA – Accomplished Certification in Strategic Meetings Management (SMMC).

Scott will work alongside Ruby Serra to expand our reach to the important North America market.

Leading Destination Management Company, AlliedPRA, now accepts payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

Leading Destination Management Company, AlliedPRA, now accepts payment of deposits via Meeting Escrow

Meeting Escrow Inc. is proud to announce that AlliedPRA has officially confirmed acceptance of payment via Meeting Escrow’s industry-leading deposit escrow service, setting a new standard in stewardship and fiduciary responsibility for the Destination Management sector of the Meetings Industry.

Denise Dornfeld, Chairperson of AlliedPRA, Inc. states, “In response to an industry need, Meeting Escrow, an independent, reputable third party has responded with a viable solution.  While AlliedPRA prides itself on its stable financial history, this optional service ensures that all parties involved are financially protected with an agreed upon timeline for disbursement of funds.  This extra layer of insurance is a differentiator for Destination Management Companies and AlliedPRA is pleased to accept payments via Meeting Escrow to respond to clients’ needs”.

Grant Snider, Meeting Escrow President & CEO adds, “This is an exciting development for our company. As more and more clients adopt Meeting Escrow to facilitate their meetings budget cash management and deposit processes and include it in their RFP requirements, it is important that vendors understand how it works and what the benefits are. We are proud to have AlliedPRA on board to accept deposit payment via Meeting Escrow.”

Meeting Escrow was founded by Grant Snider in early 2015 to bridge a gap in the marketplace between buyers and sellers of Meetings Industry services. Both parties sign an escrow contract with Meeting Escrow for the total amount to be protected. Funds are wire transferred by the buyer directly to a distinct, uniquely identified Meeting Escrow bank account to the benefit of the supplier-partner and then the individual deposit payments are wire transferred out per the deposit payment schedule in the contract. Client funds are secure and fully protected and supplier-partners are paid on time.  In addition, escrowed deposits can be held in US dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars and 17 other foreign currencies, thereby shielding clients from exchange rate fluctuations. Meeting Escrow Inc. holds $5 million in liability coverage, underwritten by Lloyds.

Grant Snider brings lifelong Meetings Industry experience and an indisputable reputation as a person of integrity and trust to Meeting Escrow. Following an early career in the hotel industry, Snider moved to the destination services sector eventually becoming co-owner of JPdL, Canada’s largest DMC. He sold his stake in the company in 2014. Over the years he has served in a variety of leadership positions in meetings industry associations such as ADMEI, SITE and FICP.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada.

Meeting Escrow uses ICCA

“Meeting Escrow uses ICCA to highlight vital importance of client deposit protection for International Association Meetings”

Canada-based Meeting Escrow has joined ICCA, the globally-recognised leading organisation in the International Association Meetings sector, to ensure that its unique meetings deposit protection product is not restricted to the corporate meetings market, but becomes widely adopted throughout the association world. ICCA membership and access to its database and communication channels will enable Meeting Escrow to reach venues, PCOs, destination marketing organisations (often the first-approached knowledge source for international clients), and the international associations themselves, in all regions of the world.

Martin Sirk, ICCA CEO said: “We’re delighted to welcome Meeting Escrow into the ICCA community, and I believe their innovative financial service will be enthusiastically welcomed by suppliers, intermediaries such as PCOs, and associations alike, and will help to manage financial risk, differentiate quality companies, and encourage transparency throughout the association meetings sector. We want ICCA to become the must-use platform for any business interaction or knowledge exchange relating to international association meetings, so a service promising guaranteed financial protection, especially during these times of economic uncertainty, is a valuable addition to the many other offerings that we make available to ICCA members and international associations.”

Meeting Escrow (www.meetingescrow.com) was founded by Grant Snider in early 2015 to bridge the “trust gap” in an unregulated marketplace between buyers and sellers of Meetings Industry services. Both parties sign an escrow contract with Meeting Escrow for the total amount to be protected. Funds are wire transferred by the buyer directly to a distinct, uniquely identified Meeting Escrow bank account to the benefit of the supplier-partner and then the individual deposit payments are wire transferred out per the deposit payment schedule in the contract. Client funds are secure and fully protected and supplier-partners are paid on time. In addition, deposits can be held in US dollars, Euros, Canadian dollars and 17 other foreign currencies, thereby shielding associations from currency fluctuations.

Grant Snider, Founder and President of Meeting Escrow said: “I’m proud to be part of the ICCA community and look forward to helping international Associations, PCOs and DMOs do business with each other in a way that protects everyone’s interests. Meeting Escrow is the missing piece in the complex jigsaw representing how Associations do business with a vast array of supplier-partners. With Meeting Escrow, clients can rest assured that their deposits are safe and secure. Supplier partners, likewise, can see that funds have been collected on their behalf. It’s a true win | win”.

Grant Snider brings lifelong Meetings Industry experience and an indisputable reputation as a person of integrity and trust to Meeting Escrow. Following an early career in the hotel industry, Snider moved to the destination services sector eventually becoming co-owner of JPdL, Canada’s largest DMC. He sold his stake in the company in 2014. Over the years he has served in a variety of leadership positions in meetings industry associations such as ADMEI, SITE and FICP. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Business Events Industry Coalition of Canada.

AT IMEX AMERICA 2015

AT IMEX AMERICA

TODAY: Monday, October 12, 2015
AND TOMORROW: Tuesday, October 13, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS
Issued at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday, October 12

TODAY
Smart Monday, powered by MPI drew hundreds of participants to high class educational sessions on a diverse range of key topics delivered by MPI, IAPCO, ICCA, ASAE, HSMAI, DMAI, SITE, GBTA, GMIC, PCMA, IAEE and ECM. The feedback was terrific; people found value in the day.

Adrienne Tooley, Meeting & Event Manager, Koncept Events, said, “When you’ve been in the industry a few years, you want something new and more advanced. Smart Monday and IMEX offer very high caliber, high-level speakers that are in strong touch with what’s happening in the industry.”

“To have a whole day before the show to come in early and get education here at Smart Monday is great,” said Lanie Collins, Marketing Association & Event Manager at Nicola Wealth Management. “Since I‘m the only one in my company who does meetings, it is terrific to be surrounded by and talk to other people who just ‘get it’, and I also get credit for what I am learning towards my CMP.”

The first MPI morning keynote session of the week, which was sponsored by New Orleans CVB/New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, was presented by Lee Papa on “How to Live and Lead Mindfully.”

The second PCMA Business School at IMEX America, sponsored by Synchronicities, was presented and led by Bob Kulhan, a professor at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. It revealed how to leverage improv techniques in the office.

Gabriela Marquez, BCD Travel M&I, Mexico, “This session has really encouraged me to break from my comfort zone and prompted fresh thinking. It was also a fun way to network and the interactive nature of it helped to break the ice with fellow participants. I’ve learned to really listen, not to judge, and to take risks.”

Association Focus, the exclusive event presented by ASAE and ICCA and attended by around 180 association executives, provided a broad range of valuable tailored education and peer networking opportunities. This will be followed by Association Evening, sponsored by SLS Las Vegas, at the stunning Foxtail Nightclub where invited exhibitors will join the delegates.

Thelma da Sousa of the Pacific Coast Oto Ophthalmological Society said, “This is the third year I’ve been here because there is so much you can learn. The content and range of the sessions is superb. There are so many that I want to go to that I wish there was more time.”

1,200 buyers and suppliers are going to Site Nite North America at the new Omnia nightclub, Caesars Palace.

TOMORROW
New exhibitors: There will be more than 80 new booths with exhibitors from all corners of the world, including Guam and Taiwan from Asia, Hungary and Zagreb from Europe, Paraguay and Ecuador from Latin America, plus Cincinnati, Oklahoma and Wisconsin from the U.S., to name just a few.

New education features: Magician Tim David will be the MPI keynote speaker. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, he will explore the “Human Connection – A Lost Art in a Noisy World.”

The new Play Room, sponsored by Play with a Purpose, will provide short, hands-on “quirkshops” around creativity, a theme incorporated throughout the program.

A new resource on the show floor, TECHnexus, will provide buyers with hands-on experience of the latest technologies and is available every day in the tech area.

The #IMEXpitch Event Technology Startup competition will take place at 4:30 p.m. at the Inspiration Hub. A short list of five companies will pitch their ideas to industry experts.

Meditation Room: New for this year, this device-free area hosts regular sessions on yoga, mindfulness and meditation as well as provides quiet spot to recharge.

Press Conferences: There is a packed program of press conferences taking place at the Press Center and covering a wide range of destinations, venues and initiatives.

PRESS CENTER – sponsored by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
The onsite Press Center is located on Level 1 – Casanova Room 501 – The Venetian® | The Palazzo® Congress Center.

It offers: free Wifi, laptops and work stations, latest news from the show, its exhibitors and partners, mobile phone charging point, complimentary refreshments.

You can reach the PR team during the show at the Press Center or on the following numbers:
Press Center Onsite – (702) 691-8608
Emma Ward – (214) 883-7586
Jen McNeil – (214) 587-3819
Chris Lewis – (469) 404-6690

Useful weblinks
Latest IMEX & Exhibitor news releases – www.imexamerica.com/press/news-releases/
Press images – www.imexamerica.com/press/images-audio-video/
At a glance schedule www.imexamerica.com/events/at-a-glance/schedule/

Meetings Industry Veteran Grant Snider Launches New Company

“Meetings Industry Veteran Grant Snider Launches New Company”

Meetings Industry veteran Grant Snider has launched a new company, Meeting Escrow Inc., to protect client deposits and ensure timely payment to supplier-partners. Using the company’s segregated account system, planners and their clients are guaranteed their advance deposit payments are 100% secure prior to program operation while supplier-partners are relieved of the burden of constantly chasing payments.

“Unfortunately, our industry is not regulated so there is no global standard for the protection of deposits. Standard practice is to mix client deposits with general operating accounts which means these monies are potentially at risk. Recent high profile failures have highlighted these risks and left planners reluctant to part with their money causing huge challenges for the entire supply chain,” said President and CEO, Grant Snider.

Snider continued: “Meeting Escrow was founded to bridge this ‘trust gap’ in the market. Planners and supplier-partners sign an escrow contract with Meeting Escrow for the total amount to be protected. Funds are wire transferred by the client directly to Meeting Escrow and safeguarded in a segregated bank account to the benefit of the supplier-partner. There is no commingling of Meeting Escrow’s own operational funds with client funds; nor is there any commingling of any client’s funds with any other client’s. The individual deposit payments are then wire transferred to the supplier-partner per the deposit payment schedule in the escrow contract. Client funds are secure and fully protected and supplier-partners are paid on time. Meeting Escrow offers security and efficiency, a win-win for everyone”.

Sandy Monkemeyer, Senior Vice President & Corporate Travel Director for Captive Resources, LLC, welcomed Snider’s new initiative. “Meeting Escrow is an important addition to our industry as it provides Meeting Planners with the guarantee that any funds paid by way of advance deposits are 100% secure and only released to supplier-partners when they fall due. This provides great comfort for companies where internal regulations and due diligence are increasingly important.”

Katherine Wright, CMP, CMM, President of Toronto-based meeting planning company The Wright Solution, added that “Meeting Escrow finally provides the solution planners have been looking for: how to give our suppliers commitment without jeopardizing the often large deposits we pay months in advance to book future programs. I can’t think of a better person in this industry to be spearheading such a venture – Grant Snider embodies trust, confidence and fairness in all of his business dealings and will help streamline the whole process so we can focus on what we do best: planning and executing meetings and events.”

Grant Snider brings lifelong Meetings Industry experience and an indisputable reputation as a person of integrity and trust to Meeting Escrow. Following an early career in the hotel industry, Snider moved to the destination services sector eventually becoming co-owner of JPdL, Canada’s largest DMC. He sold his stake in the company in 2014. Over the years he has served in a variety of leadership positions in meetings industry associations such as ADMEI, SITE and FICP.

Another first for IMEX as staff delight at receiving Site’s Richard Ross Award

Another first for IMEX as staff delight at receiving Site’s Richard Ross Award

Staff from IMEX, led by Managing Director Paul Flackett, were delighted to receive the 2014 Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award during the Site Global Conference in Rotterdam recently. The presentation marked the first time the award has been presented to an organisation rather than an individual.

The Richard Ross Past Presidents’ Award recognises outstanding service to the incentive travel industry. It was created in memory of SITE Past President and long-time member Richard Ross, who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City. The award also shines a spotlight on a recipient who has “furthered the vision, ideals and ethics of SITE”.
In making the presentation to Flackett and the IMEX team, Louise Hall Reider, CITE, Chair of the SITE Past Presidents Council said: “It was thrilling on behalf of all the Past Presidents of SITE to present the 2014 Richard Ross Award to IMEX – an organisation icon in our business, and the first-ever organisation to be recognised with this well-deserved honour. This distinction applauds their notable contributions and long-term service to the incentive travel industry, for which we are all exceedingly grateful!”
The Past Presidents of the SITE International Board of Directors agreed with the nominator remarks about IMEX, which described how “they changed the face of the meetings and incentive exhibition industry when they created and implemented the concept of the hosted buyer programme. This innovation changed the way business shows were organised and run…more importantly, they have achieved success with integrity, honesty and faith in others.”

Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group said, “It is a great honour for IMEX to receive the Richard Ross Award from Site. We are extremely grateful to be recognised in this way by the industry and it is first and foremost a great testament to the IMEX team.”

IMEX staff receive Site’s Richard Ross Award
Both organisations share a long history of working in partnership for the long-term development of the incentive travel industry. Flackett has been a Site member since 1988 and served as President of SITE International in 1995 and as SITE Foundation President in 2002. Bloom served on the Board of Trustees for the Site Foundation from 1993 – 1999 and, more recently, as Treasurer for the SITE Foundation. Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, is a current Trustee for the Site Foundation.

When the industry duo launched the IMEX trade show in Frankfurt, in 2002, Site was one of the first associations they turned to for industry feedback and support.

GIBTM 2014 KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

GIBTM 2014 KNOWLEDGE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED
For full details visit http://www.gibtm.com/knowledge

GIBTM, the leading Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition in the Middle East, has recently announced the full outline for their 2014 GIBTM Knowledge programme which will be delivered at the show, set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 March, 2014.

Erica Keogan, Associations and Education Manager, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented, “GIBTM Knowledge has been rebranded for this year and is set to offer professional education opportunities for MICE and Business Travel professionals at all levels. The programme, which will be delivered by industry experts, has been designed to cover key market trends and issues in the Meetings, Incentives and Business Travel sectors.”

Sponsored by Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), the GIBTM 2014 Knowledge programme will be supported by SITE, MPI, ICCA and Green Globe and will include Business Travel, Industry Knowledge, Association and Sustainability sessions, which will deliver cutting edge professional education opportunities for MICE and Business Travel professionals.

The GIBTM Knowledge programme will incorporate the following sessions and full details can be found via http://www.gibtm.com/knowledge

The GIBTM 20×20 Challenge – Powered by PechaKucha (26 March 2014, 10:30 – 11:30 Knowledge Hub). This session invites attendees to present in a PechaKucha™ competition (PechaKucha™ is a style of presentation: 20 slides shown for precisely 20 seconds per slide). The audience will vote for their favourite presentation and pick the winner. Those interested in presenting should email abi.cannons@reedexpo.co.uk with a brief overview of their intended topic.
Habits of Middle East Business Travellers (25 March 2014, 16:00 – 17:00 Knowledge Hub) – Sunil Malhotra, Director, Aviation Sector – Middle East & North Africa, Ernst and Young, will be discussing the travel habits of business travellers in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and will be addressing their travel needs and trends. This is a must-attend session for all those interested in discovering future Business Travel trends in the Middle East.
Using Content Marketing to Promote Your Event or Venue (25 March 2014, 13:00 – 14:00, Knowledge Hub) – This session, delivered by Jordan Boshers, Chief Digital Strategist and Founder, IstiZada, and Farah Isam Batarneh, Online Project Manager, IstiZada, will analyse how content marketing can be used to drive new business through utilising the creation and distribution of relevant and useful content.

To find out more about GIBTM please visit http://www.gibtm.com

Join GIBTM on Linked in, Twitter and Facebook.

—

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

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.