EIBTM, the Global Meetings & Incentives exhibition, having attracted a record total attendance last year of over 8,100, is upbeat for this year’s event taking place from December 1-3.
With over 3,300 exhibiting companies representing 92 countries, more than 30 education sessions and five official networking events, EIBTM 2009 provides the meeting industry with the environment to deliver business and ROI.
Mandy Torrens, EIBTM’s exhibition director believes the show provides an environment that delivers best business and networking opportunities as well as best professional education for its exhibitors and hosted buyers.
She spoke to TTN’s Shalu Chandran.
What can exhibitors and hosted buyers expect at EIBTM 2009?
We have introduced a number of initiatives this year. Following EIBTM’s post event research, 52 per cent of exhibitors requested additional networking opportunities. Due to this, the exhibition will remain open for an extra hour on Wednesday to give exhibitors and hosted buyers the chance to hold and attend networking functions and meet new contacts.
The show also has dedicated education programme streams designed for three distinct markets – association, corporate and agency; a daily Technology Hour and EIBTM’s prestigious Awards which recognise creativity, imagination, innovation, and excellence across all types of events and marketing campaigns; three days of networking functions including a Welcome Party and the ever popular EIBTM Club Night at Club Catwalk.
How many hosted buyers will attend this year’s show? And what kind of presence will we see from Middle East companies?
Our Hosted Buyer programme reflects the nature of buyers our exhibitors want to do business with.
It continues to attract significant, quality numbers exactly because we deliver a flexible buyer driven appointment system, in an environment that delivers return on business. Last year, EIBTM 2008 broke all records and witnessed one of the strongest concentrations of Hosted Buyers (3720+) at an industry event, conducting some 50,000 plus pre-scheduled appointments, 2009 numbers have not been confirmed as Hosted Buyer registration is still open. We are expecting an increase in Middle East Buyers this year to around 40, with strong representation from Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
In terms of exhibiting companies, we are welcoming back clients such as Abu Dhabi, Oman and Sharjah. In addition Qatar, Dubai and Jordan have all increased their participation and we have Lebanon exhibiting for the first time as well as a number of private sector exhibitors.
Has the global economic recession had an effect on the number of exhibitors participating at the event this year?
Despite the economic recession the industry continues to recognise the importance of events like EIBTM, which deliver return on investment.
We have 46 exhibitors from the Middle East and we have new exhibitors from Senegal, Mozambique, Seoul and Venezuela and from Europe with Bonn Conference Partners, Tiara Hotels and Resorts and Zaragoza Turismo. This kaleidoscope of exhibitors truly places EIBTM as the industry’s annual international event.
We have also in recent years recognised the increased importance being placed by Hosted Buyers and visitors wanting to see more attention placed on technology and event services. So we continue our commitment to the MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM, our WorldWide Technology Watch and Event Services Village.
With GIBTM now taking place in Abu Dhabi, how can EIBTM reach out to Middle East buyers?
EIBTM has a reputation as being the international event for the meetings industry.
For any Middle Eastern buyer advising clients from an international perspective, EIBTM is the place to visit to do business, learn from the free professional education seminars and workshops and network with decision makers. The Pre Scheduled Appointment system guarantees that exhibitors and buyers are matched up, by choice, to do business.
What are the biggest challenges facing the Middle East meetings industry or MICE market as it is still known in the region?
The Middle East has tremendous opportunities ahead in the meetings industry: an ideal location between East and West, rapidly developing airline hubs and an increased capacity to host meetings. The industry is developing at a staggering pace as is illustrated in the growth of GIBTM in Abu Dhabi.
What is a major challenge is the need to build a knowledgeable, well-trained workforce to compete effectively on a global scale and gain the returns on the infrastructure investment.
What is needed is a training plan that builds a meetings workforce that attracts, develops and nurtures talents at all levels of their careers.
Who are the speakers on this year’s educational programme?
With an expanded Spanish programme and sessions and workshops on key issues, speakers include: Rob Davidson, EIBTM industry analyst; Simon Cope, Generation for Growth; Elling Hamso, ROI Institute; Corbin Ball, Corbin Ball Associates; Laurent Haug, LIFT Conference, to name a few.
What are your expectations from the show this year?
Expectations for 2009 remain upbeat. All the signs are, with both Hosted Buyer and visitor registration open, that 2009 will deliver ROI to exhibitors, Hosted Buyers and trade visitors. Already 249 group co-ordinators have signed up to bring buyers.
This year more than ever, EIBTM will be focusing on ROI for exhibitors, visitors and Hosted Buyers with a number of new initiatives, as well as the trusted measures already in place that make the show a success.