Industry feedback during and immediately after EIBTM 2005 held in Barcelona, Spain, has shown that the event provided an outstanding business exchange, exceptional networking and cutting edge professional education, all under one roof over the three day period from November 29 to December 1, 2005.
Key highlights of 2005 included a streamlined appointments system that received praise from both buyers and exhibitors alike. Recognition of the logistical improvements with the introduction of an onsite coach station and shuttle services was noted by everyone, and the extended education programme attracted a record level of interest with sessions full to capacity.
Paul Kennedy, MBE, group exhibition director of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ meetings and incentives events, commented: “We have received a constant stream of commendation for EIBTM 2005. Our new initiatives have been an overwhelming success. We fully intend to build on everything we have achieved this year and will shortly announce more initiatives for 2006.”
The event saw a substantial streamlined approach to the pre-scheduled appointment system for the hosted-buyer programme, which greatly decreased the number of appointments being missed and increased business on the floor as buyers handpicked which exhibitors they were visiting. Over 27,000 appointments were pre-scheduled before the event. Also pre-scheduled, were destination presentations where exhibitors were able to present to a group of buyers made up of individuals who had specifically requested to receive an overview of the destination. The high quality of the hosted buyers was achieved by a strict qualification process, which meant that exhibitors were seeing buyers who were truly interested in what they had to offer.
All of the General Education Seminars proved very popular. The launch of the EIBTM 2005 Industry Trends & Market Share Report presented by Rob Davidson was repeated on the final day due to demand. New for 2005, the Interactive Technology Debate raised the issue of whether or not technology promotes or inhibits good conference communication, in a fully-packed seminar room.
What’s more, requests for substantially more stand space in 2006 also reflected the trust in EIBTM as the place to conduct a high level of international business.