CIBTM 2007, taking place at the China World Exhibition Hall in Beijing from July 3 to 5, has unveiled its education programme as well as the first research into the industry in the region.
The research shows Reed Travel Exhibitions’ commitment to provide not only a business and networking platform for all attendees, but also to provide education opportunities as well as offering a unique insight of the industry into this part of the world.
Education sessions have been tailored to cater for the local visitor audience wanting to learn more about the industry, with a separate programme for high-level buyers attending as part of the hosted buyer programme.
The daily seminar programme for visitors is open to all and free to attend. It will provide 13 professional education sessions over the three days of the show, with appropriate sessions being simultaneously translated.
Education session topics will include; What event planners need to know about planning events in China presented by the Beijing International Convention Centre; and Across China, developing the meetings professional in China presented by MPI (Meeting Professionals International); and Key steps to organising successful outdoor events presented by Offsite Connections China (OSCC). The evolution of technology and how it affects the industry will also be covered by Infosalons in a seminar titled ‘The Changes and Developments in technology within the Meetings Industry’. There will also be sessions from other key meetings associations ICCA and SITE.
To date over 249 international buyers from 24 countries as well as 166 regional and local buyers have registered to attend the event, reflecting welcome developments to the CIBTM Hosted Buyer Programme.
For the first-time a selected number of Hosted Buyers will be able to attend post-event fam trips as part of the event programme. Hangzhou in Eastern China and Thailand are confirmed as destinations.
“The quality of Hosted Buyers is paramount to the success of CIBTM. We have very strict qualifying criteria to ensure that we deliver the best buyers and therefore the best business opportunities to all on the show floor. This year we have increased our target numbers for both International and Chinese buyers resulting in group co-ordinators being appointed in Asia. We have also implemented a specific direct marketing campaign for China,” says Graeme Barnett, event director.