EIBTM 2006 is set to break records this year. Substantial space has already been sold for EIBTM 2006, which represents a 10 per cent increase compared to EIBTM 2005.
Moreover, the MPI Technology Village@EIBTM and the Event Services Village have both sold out.
EIBTM 2006 will take place from November 28 to 30, at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
The event will welcome 40 new main exhibitors including destinations such as Monterey County (USA), Paraguay, Zaragoza, Tanzania, Arizona, Serbia, Chile and China. Also, some 60 main stand holders have increased their stand space including Accor Hotels, Argentina, Cuba, Greece, Canarias, Morocco, Norway, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Turkey, Venezuela, Colombia, Miami, Germany, Macau and New York City. EIBTM also welcomes back Quatar, Charming Hotels, Sandals, Jolly Hotels and Uruguay to EIBTM this year.
Kathryn Carlton, director of sales of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) said: “With many options for luxury accommodations and incentive programmes in Monterey, the incentive market continues to be a strong market segment for us. The MCCVB is hosting a promotional lunch at the SITE International Conference in Barcelona and is taking the opportunity to exhibit at EIBTM before hand in order to raise our visibility.”
Morocco, who have significantly increased their stand size over 2005, are heading to EIBTM determined to position the country as a “leading conference and incentive destination in North Africa” says Sakina Bouhsina, Director. “We believe that the show is a good investment and also excellent value for money as it ensures quality and quantity of visitors which is important”.
EIBTM showcases over 2,700 international exhibitors representing over 95 countries. Trade visitor registration at the time of going to press was 25 per cent over the same time last year while Hosted Buyer registrations were up 10 per cent.
In total, EIBTM 2005 welcomed 5,689 dedicated visitors; 2,505 of whom were hosted buyers and 2,915 were trade visitors, with 269 press.
Mandy Torrens, event manager commented: “EIBTM is clearly seen as an integral part of our exhibitors’ strategic marketing plans. Our objectives to ensure that the event remains the best for business, professional education and networking, has clearly resulted in a huge demand from the industry sector. We have over 40 new exhibitors this year with many more opting for larger stands. Our new initiatives and features have also generated growing interest from exhibitors and the Events Service Village which made its debut in 2005 has already sold out as has the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM confirming that EIBTM is clearly seen as the leading business platform for the global meetings and incentives industry.'
EIBTM 2006 will see the launch of three new initiatives, which are designed to offer increased educational opportunities, including the Agency Programme, attracting meeting planners from worldwide agencies to the event for a programme of up to date and highly relevant education workshops, networking events and pre-scheduled appointments; the Independent Planners Forum for those independent meeting planners wishing to attend highly targeted and focused seminar sessions specifically for their needs; and the Emerging Markets Symposium, seminar sessions for exhibitors, agencies and other interested in emerging markets wishing to debate business challenges they face and explore the potential solutions.
EIBTM has appointed over 50 new hosted buyer co-ordinators this year to bring groups from all over Europe as well as the US, Russia, China, Scandinavia and Brazil. New group co-ordinators for this year include TUI, Carlson Wagonlit, BBT Online and many of the MPI European chapters whilst Accor, AC Hotels, Hilton, Langham hotels, Helmsbriscoe and Sol Melia have all increased the size of their groups for 2006.
Judy Henrich of HelmsBriscoe commented: “We are very pleased to be working in close cooperation with EIBTM this year to bring a large group of our HelmsBriscoe associates to the show. We have seen attendance at EIBTM grow year over year and we are thrilled to be a part of their expanded global Hosted Buyer Programme. This show affords us the opportunity to meet with key suppliers and conduct our business quickly and efficiently.”
Boris Vrnoga, sales manager, meetings and incentives of Great Hotel Organisation, explained: “There are a couple of objectives Great Hotels Organisation has for hosting a group of clients to EIBTM. The most important one is to introduce some of our key clients to our member hotels in and around Barcelona. Various activities have been arranged during and after EIBTM in order for our clients to get to know some of our member hotels better. Secondly EIBTM is a very good show to catch up with old colleagues in the industry, a perfect networking opportunity. All in all it will be three days in which we will try to combine the business aspect with the social aspect and of course Barcelona in that perspective is a great destination.”
Post event fam trips for Hosted Buyers attending EIBTM have increased to 8 different destinations this year. Six of these are already fully booked with Hosted Buyers on a waiting list.
Other features at EIBTM will include the Technology Debate offering opinions on the subject of technology for the industry, the Spa Area providing relaxation treatments for Hosted Buyers, the Global Media Partners Lounge to relax while reading news about the industry and the EIBTM Ask The Experts area, a help and advice area on all aspects of the industry.
Statistics from EIBTM 2005:
• 88 per cent of hosted buyers agree EIBTM has the right exhibitors for them
• 98 per cent of hosted buyers at EIBTM were satisfied with their participation in terms of meeting their commercial objectives
• 95 per cent of hosted buyers feel that visiting EIBTM gives a competitive advantage, offering contacts and keeping up to date with the industry
• 95 per cent of exhibitors were satisfied with their participation in terms of meeting their commercial objectives