JUST three months since the inaugural AIBTM, 22 exhibitors have re-signed with greater booth sizes amounting to an additional 4300 sq ft of show floor for next year’s event. Currently more than 50 per cent of space has been contracted and AIBTM 2012 will also welcome a number of new exhibitors who have been quick to sign up.
In addition to the larger show floor, Hosted Buyers for 2012 will be offered the opportunity to attend AIBTM for three nights so that they can participate in the AIBTM Education Day which will once again take place the day preceding the opening of the show floor. AIBTM will open with AIBTM Education day on June 19 and will be followed by AIBTM Exhibition on June 20-21, 2012.
More Hosted Buyer group coordinators within the US are requesting to work alongside AIBTM to support the registration process which will start in late January 2012.
New for next year’s event is the addition of a choice of Post Event Tours made available to the Hosted Buyers. As a result of the interest shown by so many US destinations, the full list will be available on www.aibtm.com as they are confirmed. Hosted Buyers will also see a dedicated Association and Corporate Education program delivered as part of the Education Day at AIBTM co-ordinate with the support of the Industry Associations.
With Destination DC, Vancouver Hotel Destination Association, Boston Convention Bureau, Atlanta Convention Bureau, Vantage Hospitality, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau and Nassau Paradise Island, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Sol Melia, Dominican Republic Tourism Board, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau taking larger stands, they will join new exhibitors already contracted including, Carlson Hotels, Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Morocco, Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention & Visitors Authority, and Visit Pittsburgh.
“We are well ahead of ourselves and the increase in booths by so many exhibitors who took part in the inaugural AIBTM proves the thirst for continuing the business that was traded on the show floor. Because of the success of the Professional Education Program feedback showed that Hosted Buyers wanted to be given the choice to attend the Day before the show opened. So for 2012 we will be increasing their flexibility to do so by providing a third night option in Baltimore” said Steve Knight, AIBTM project manager.