CIBTM DELIVERS INSIGHTS INTO CHINA MICE BUYERS’ BEHAVIOUR

CIBTM DELIVERS INSIGHTS INTO CHINA MICE BUYERS’ BEHAVIOUR

Key findings identify that venues and destinations outside China must work harder to make communication with the Chinese market easier
The results of the first Chinese Meeting Planners Site Selection Survey were delivered by Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management, University of Greenwich, London – at CIBTM 2013 (www.cibtm.com), which took place in Beijing, earlier in the year.

The seminar presentation was based on the findings generated from an online survey, which investigated the priorities and experiences of meeting planners based in China, in terms of the process of choosing destinations and venues for their events.

Key to the findings of the research was the revelation that 35% of Chinese meeting planners experienced difficulty in getting information about destinations outside China; and 47% experienced difficulty in finding out about venues outside China.

Rob Davidson, Senior Lecturer in Events Management, University of Greenwich, London commented, “This sends an important signal to destinations and venues outside China, it shows us that they must work harder to make communication with the Chinese market easier.”

Other key findings included:
· The four most widely preferred sources for receiving information about potential destinations for events were, in order: educational trips to the destinations; destination marketing organisations’ websites; other meeting planners; and meetings industry exhibitions.

· 50% of the planners reported that they were experiencing lead times getting shorter – a possible consequence of the slowing of the economy that China was experiencing earlier this year.

· Factors influencing destination attractiveness in order of importance included: a pleasant climate, financial issues, both in the sense of economic stability and the possibility of destinations being able to offer financial or in-kind support to meeting planners, and visa requirements of host countries.

· Factors affecting venue attractiveness included: proximity to airport and public transportation closely followed by the provision of ‘fast internet’.

· Key issues identified with venues when organizing events included inflexibility on the part of venues when negotiating elements affecting the price of using their facilities. Respondents also identified that being charged for services such as audio-visual, parking and security (that they think should be included in the basic price) was also a contributor to major annoyance. Venues being generally unyielding in negotiations on price, was also identified as a major factor.

Davidson concluded, “The unique insights provided by this online survey are of considerable interest to all of those venues and destinations in China, Asia and globally that are increasingly targeting the market for Chinese meetings and events. The findings reveal not only the preferences of Chinese meeting planners in terms of the types of destinations and venues that they choose for their events, but also how they wish to interact with the sales and marketing professionals that are competing for their business.”

Following on from the success of the session, which was delivered at CIBTM, Davidson will deliver the China Meetings Summit at EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), which will take place on 19 November (15:30-16:30) in conference room 5.3.

CIBTM 2014 takes place on the 17th – 19th September 2014.

PLAN YOUR COST EFFECTIVE TRIP TO BARCELONA

PLAN YOUR COST EFFECTIVE TRIP TO BARCELONA
EIBTM 2012, the Global Meetings & Events Exhibition (www.eibtm.com) has partnered with a number of local and international businesses to secure a range of special offers and discounts for all attendees of the show, which will take place in Fira Gran Via, Barcelona from 27-29 November.

EIBTM has once again partnered with Lufthansa who are offering discounted flights from global destinations to Barcelona. Delegates will also have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes through a number of competitions, which Lufthansa are running prior to EIBTM 2012. To find out more, visit http://www.eibtm.com/lufthansa.

The official DMC of EIBTM, Pacific World has collaborated with local Barcelona businesses to provide discounts for EIBTM attendees as part of this year’s 25th birthday celebrations. Attendees will be able to scan QR codes available in the EIBTM pocket books for coupons, which can be used in Desigual as well as a range of discounts in restaurants in Barcelona.

Participants of EIBTM will also be able to take advantage of discounted accommodation during their time in Barcelona. Attendees can secure reduced rates via http://www.eibtm.com, as well as benefit from a free shuttle bus service, which will be operating between the airport, Fira Gran Via and official hotels. To view a full list of official hotels visit EIBTM Official Hotels >>

EIBTM has also developed an IBTM multi event App which is free to download for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android platforms. The APP allows participants to access a detailed floor plan of the show as well as providing a full schedule of education sessions and events, which will take place as part of the show programme. To find out more about the IBTM APP, visit http://www.ibtmevents.com/app

Trade Visitors who pre-register and attend EIBTM will also be entered into a prize draw for the opportunity to win a trip for two to Istanbul with Turkey Airline flights and a three night stay at the 5 star Wow Hotel & Convention Centre as well as 2 city tours courtesy of Dekon DMC and Tekser Tourism.

To find out more about the benefits of attending EIBTM 25 as a Trade Visitor and to register please visit http://www.eibtm.com/visit.

If you are a senior decision maker or make budgetary decisions for meetings, incentive travel, business travel, international conventions or events, you could be eligible to attend EIBTM as Hosted Buyer. To find out more, please visit http://www.eibtm.com/hosted

EIBTM 2012 takes place 27th – 29th November, Barcelona, with the EIBTM Forum on 26th November.

EIBTM TALKS – FIRST TOURING SUMMIT IS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Dedicated Technology sessions in Gdansk and Belgrade attract over
150 Meeting Industry Professionals

EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), the global exhibition for the meetings, incentive and business travel industry is delighted to announce the success of its first dedicated touring summit in Europe. The events, which took place in Gdansk and Belgrade, the first of their kind in South East Europe, were well attended with over 150 meetings industry professionals joining to learn more about the benefits of technology in the global meetings industry and how it can be used to enhance their events.

Anna Gorska, CEO, Gdansk Convention Bureau commented: “The professionalism of the speakers, the interesting topics and the unique surrounding of the Hall BHP at the Gdansk Shipyard made the EIBTM Talks Technology event an unforgettable experience. We had a chance to hear in Gdansk about the newest technology developments in the mobile world and how to use them in our every day work. We also had a chance to learn and to network, what more can you ask for? Thank you EIBTM!”

Slaven Reljic, Secretary of the Croatian Meeting Professionals Association talking about his experience at EIBTM Talks Technology in Belgrade, Serbia commented, “It was a creative and refreshing meeting with great speakers and participants from the industry. I found it very useful learning about new trends and ideas in technology, on the market and how can we personally be more creative and innovative in our everyday business. We also learnt about the importance of social media and heard some examples from globally successful firms. In my agency we will be also adding some of the event skills I learnt about at the conference, as the cases which were presented to us are really inspiring.”

Olivera Blagojevic, Director, Congrexpo, Serbia, who also attended the EIBTM Talks Technology session in Belgrade, Serbia commented, “As an experienced professional conference organiser, I had a chance to network with my colleagues from the region and exchange experiences. As a passionate user of mobile devices, I was very much interested in the novelties and possibilities that I was not even aware of. The new ideas that can be applied to meeting organization industry were presented in a very attractive way and what I know for sure is that I need to keep pace, because that’s the future of the events.

David Benitez of Reed Travel Exhibitions and organiser of the recent EIBTM Talks Technology commented, “EIBTM Talks is about listening to the needs of meetings industry professionals across the globe and working to provide practical solutions which will support them in achieving their business objectives. As the leading global event for the meetings, incentive and business travel industry, EIBTM’s core objective is to help drive the industry forward through business, education and networking opportunities”.

EIBTM 2012 takes place 27th – 29th November, Barcelona.