The European Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Market (EIBTM) 2008 held in Barcelona, Spain, has organised its most comprehensive seminar programme to date, providing targeted sessions for all those involved in the meetings industry.
EIBTM Exhibition director Mandy Torrens said, “EIBTM is committed to providing the industry with a comprehensive and varied, free educational programme. Continuing professional development is key to the progression of such a dynamic industry and EIBTM will remain at the forefront of tackling issues that impact on all within the sector.”
The three days show from December 2 to 4 at the Fira Gran Vira will feature a mixture of presentations, seminars, workshops and networking events giving delegates full access to key issues and trends that affect the industry on a day to day basis.
New additions to this year’s programme are two keynote presentations by Maarten Vanneste on the subject of ‘Meeting Architecture’ and Graeme Godrington on ‘Making the Most the Millennial Generation’; Spanish Association workshops and seminars presented in Spanish and ‘Global Meetings Management Masterclass’.
Key highlights include on Tuesday December 2 ‘The Global Marketplace: North American Planner Perspectives’, with a panel of senior Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Meeting Professionals.
This interactive session will identify the key challenges North Americans face in doing business with case history examples. Planners will discuss their personal experiences and address the issues that positively and negatively impact their interactions with international suppliers.
‘Big Issues, Big Solutions’, moderated by Rod Cameron, director, programming and planning, AIPC, will present a seminar tackling major issues such as labour and skills shortage and rising costs, considering what actions are needed to respond to them.
The launch of the EIBTM 2008 Industry Trends & Market Share Report presented by Rob Davidson, EIBTM industry analyst, will highlight current industry trends affecting the meetings, incentive and business travel sectors.
‘Career Strategies in a Changing Workplace’, presented by Padraic Gilligan, SITE president and managing director Ovation Global GMC, is geared towards young leaders inviting all professionals to join an interactive session to share their views of climbing up the career ladder.
EIBTM Keynote Presentation by Maarten Vanneste, President and CEO, Abbit Meeting Support: ‘Meeting Architecture – A Manifesto for Change’. He explores the minefield of meeting architecture.
In Technology Hour the ‘Latest Technology Trends Transforming the Events and Meetings Industry’ is with Corbin Ball CMP, Corbin Ball Associates, moderated by Patrick Delaney, managing director, Ovation Group. Many more seminars follow. The show opens from 10 am to 6 pm.