THE Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) has had record levels of pre-registration and exhibitor numbers, and more than 700 hosted buyers have applied for the event (and are waiting to be qualified), said event director Graeme Barnett.
“We are expecting to receive over 275 hosted buyers during GIBTM, all of whom will have to meet strict qualifying criteria and prove their purchasing / decision making authority in order to be accepted onto the programme,” he said.
“Quality of the buyers attending is essential; this is key to the success of GIBTM as our exhibitors will not accept anything less. Buyers will also attend as visitors and we are expecting an attendance of 2,500 (in total) meeting professionals at the biggest annual gathering in the Gulf Region.”
One third of hosted buyers will be from the Middle East, a third from Asia and the rest from Europe, and approximately 1,500 trade visitors are expected.
Last year’s GIBTM attracted 1,268 visitors and 223 hosted buyers.
Top hotel groups attending this year include Mِvenpick Hotels and Resorts, Hilton International, Jumeirah, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Marriott Hotels International and Leading Hotels of the World.
Exhibitors from the Gulf include King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Etihad Airways, Dubai, Qatar Tourism & Exhibition Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Travel Connections Arabia, Oman, Gulf Air, Energy Cities Alliance, ApartmentStay and ESP Recruitment.
“This growth highlights the importance Gulf exhibitors are placing on a show that they know delivers a quality audience, enabling them to showcase the best the Gulf has to offer,” said Barnett.
Other international exhibitors include Costa del Sol, Singapore Tourism Board, Seoul Convention Bureau, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Turkish Airlines, Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Rendezvous Italiano and South African based event marketing consultants Drewe Associates.
“GIBTM 2009 will have the largest number of exhibiting companies to date with the show being some 10 to 15 per cent larger than in 2008. This growth demonstrates in my view growing recognition of the importance of the meetings industry within the region.”
During the event is an education programme providing a complete variety of topics. The Middle East Industry Research will provide interesting facts and figures on trends over the past year, and key speakers include Rohit Talwar presenting groundbreaking studies on the Future of Travel and Tourism in the Region and the Future of Travel and Tourism Investment in Saudi Arabia. The third GIBTM/MeetMe 2009 Industry Trends Report will also be unveiled.
Barnett agreed that there was no doubt that the worldwide economic situation had impacted on the meetings industry, as it has on almost every other industry. “But it is robust sector that has always ‘cut their cloth’ depending on market forces. It would be foolhardy to say that the industry is, or will be immune to the current economic crises either in the Middle East or worldwide. What is certain though is that meetings, incentives, conferences and events will not just stop.”
He said that those venues, destinations and countries that recognised the current competitive environment will come out of the crises in good shape. “Invariably in difficult economic times it is those who invest in marketing and exhibitions like GIBTM that benefit.”