GULF Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) is focusing this year’s professional education programme on maintaining, developing and attracting business.
Taking place from March 31 to April 2 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, the theme for the professional education programme recognises the need for changing business practises in the current economic climate. It will offer businesses and individuals sessions that will better prepare them for the challenging times ahead.
Erica Keogan, GIBTM’s education content manager said, “GIBTM, together with EIBTM and our other meetings industry events worldwide, has a reputation for having its finger on the pulse of the industry and in creating educational programmes that focus on issues that directly impact the sector. This year is no exception.”
Keynote presentations will come from Rohit Talwar, CEO Fast Future Research on The Future of Travel and Tourism in the Middle East on March 31. This will be followed by a presentation by Paul Kennedy MBE, group exhibition director of Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events; Graeme Barnett, GIBTM exhibition director; Rob Nicholas, publisher meetme (the bi-monthly magazine Meet Middle East) and Sally Greenhill, director Right Solution. This presentation will be regarding The Middle East Meetings Industry Research 2009 carried out by GIBTM in association with meetme.
A human resources seminar will then be presented by Rebecca Wilson, ESP Recruitment.
On Wednesday April 1 is a meeting management seminar in conjunction with ICCA, led by Martin Sirk, CEO ICCA. A technology session will later be presented by John Quinn, CEO, Satellite Visual Communication, Dubai Media City, followed by a seminar entitled ‘Going Beyond Websites and Social Networks to Generate More Sales in Turbulent Times’ presented by Reg Athwal, founder and chairman RAW GROUP.
Sean Mahoney, global vice president of corporate and incentive sales for Silversea Cruises will deliver an incentive marketing presentation.
A professional development workshop – ‘How to Get a Job in a competitive Events Market!’ will be delivered by Rebecca Wilson, ESP Recruitment.
On April 2 Reg Athwal will present a personal development seminar entitled 'Unleash Your Personal DNA – Proven Ways to be Prosperous in Tough Times'.