The fourth edition of the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), also known as Mice – in the Gulf and Middle East, is set to open its doors at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from March 28 to 31 and this year the show has announced a new initiative, highlighting one of the event’s core offerings of providing best professional education.
For the first time, the education programme, targeted at associations, corporates and agencies, is to be divided into three distinct themes over the three days of the show - The Event Planning Day on March 29; The Big Industry Research Day on March 30 and the Industry Trends Day on March 31.
Event Planning Day will feature four sessions, the first by Graham Keene, CEO World Events, on planning and implementing corporate policies. Ali Al Saloom, president Embrace Arabia will tackle the key cultural considerations when planning events in the region and Adrian Bell, founder of Action Impact, will look at the future of the special events industry.
The Big Industry Research Day will commence with the presentation of the GIBTM/meetme Middle East Trends Report followed by Sean Mahoney, president Site 2010, looking at the current climate for motivational events. Session three, presented by Didier Scaillet, chief development officer MPI, will highlight key findings from FutureWatch 2010 whilst the final session will bring the presenters together on one platform to reflect on what the research findings mean to the future of the industry.
The Industry Trends Day will feature presentations on delivering content in meetings, inter-cultural training, technology and events trends.
Erica Keogan, GIBTM’s association and education manager said: “GIBTM has established itself over the last three years as the voice of the Mice industry in the region. Delivering best professional education is key to the event’s success, helping to provide the industry with the knowledge and tools that continue to help build a world-class infrastructure, one that delivers high levels of service, customer experience and a meetings workforce that attracts, develops and nurtures talent at all career levels.”
GIBTM is driven by a quality hosted-buyer programme which provides exclusive VIP business meeting opportunities for senior level buyers and decision makers who are looking for new inspiration for their meetings, incentives, events and conferences. Hosted buyers will have the opportunity to apply for pre and post Abu Dhabi/Gulf tours, including ADTA sponsored ‘Abu Dhabi Day’. Jointly organised with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), this is open to international hosted buyers on a first-come first-served basis. It includes visits to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and dhow area, Emirates Palace and Saadiyat Island Exhibition.
Graeme Barnett, GIBTM’s exhibition director said: “Now in its fourth year, we are looking to offer more hosted buyer places to those working in the Gulf region’s meetings, incentives, event and business travel industry; one that has, and continues to see, significant growth. I urge those within the industry to apply for hosted-buyer status at www.gibtm.com/hostedbuyers. Attending this year’s GIBTM is a real opportunity to develop and expand business.”
GITBM has seen substantial growth of 56 per cent since its launch in 2007, attracting last year 1,693 visitors and hosted buyers - up nearly 15 per cent on 2008.
This year, the event has confirmed the participation of some of the world’s most important destinations and venues. GIBTM 2010 is set to attract the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf, including Visit London, Dragonfly Africa, Beijing Tourism Administration, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia, Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions, Turkey, Cape Winelands District Municipality, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, Yas Hotels and Tourism Ireland. Both Jumeirah and Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority have increased their stand space from 2009.
Commenting on Visit London’s participation, Zanine Adams, head of event solutions and UK sales said: “This is the second time that Visit London has attended GIBTM and we’re extremely excited about continuing to understand the market. Last year was so successful and we hope to build on that momentum and gain further industry contacts and strengthen relationships we made this time last year.”
As a first-timer to the event, Robin Mcleod Dragonfly Hotels, said: ‘We at Dragonfly have heard good reports about the quality of hosted buyers at GIBTM, buyers that would not necessarily attend other shows. This show forms part of our global marketing plan to investigate new emerging markets.”
Following successful attendance at last year’s GIBTM, exhibitors who have chosen to return and take advantage of the unrivalled business opportunities include Shangri-la, the Seoul Tourism Organisation, Aldar, Bedouk Meetings & Events Media, Meet Taiwan, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Cape Town International Convention Centre, Costa del Sol Convention Bureau, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Czech Tourist Authority – Czech Tourism, ICCA, MPI, Silversea Cruises, Site, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Toerisme Vlaanderen, Ungerboeck Systems International, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, Etihad Airways, Government of Dubai and Oman Ministry of Tourism.
“GIBTM has established itself as the pivot of the Mice industry in the region as exhibitors are continuing to recognise the importance GIBTM plays in maintaining, developing and attracting regional and international business. This year’s exhibitor list is a testament to the event’s growing influence and reputation,” added Barnett.