EIBTM, a Reed Travel Exhibitions Event, which opened in Barcelona on Tuesday has seen record attendance and is set to deliver outstanding business opportunities.
With over 65,000 pre-scheduled appointments (16% increase on 2010) selected by 4,150 accepted Hosted Buyers with over 3,127 exhibitors – business activity on the show floor has been exceptional.
Event Director EIBTM Graeme Barnett commented, “We are on target to deliver what we believe will be the most dynamic event in the shows history. The levels of business activity witnessed over the first two days have been phenomenal”.
The first two days have also seen 67 Education seminars sessions and 13 co-located events. Standing room only at the Association programme, a fully subscribed Agency and Corporate Programmes, up to the minute research presented by Rob Davidson and a CEO Summit with over 60 business leaders from 20 countries.
Fiona Chappell, Director, Business Development (UK/Europe), Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau commented, “The first day at the show has been better than all three at any other meeting and events exhibition we have attended this year. We had a lead from a company in Germany for over 1,500 people and they weren’t even on our radar. What’s also been good, is that I met someone who I have been trying to connect with for a long while – so over all it’s been great.”
The first China Meetings Forum launched with more than 60 delegates who listened to China’s industry leaders give the international meetings industry a view of how the world’s economic power house is determined to succeed on the global stage winning high profile business led events.
Over 20 exhibitor press conferences in just 48 hours, more than half the show floor launching products and services with various promotions including Sarong parties, Whisky tasting, a German Xmas Market and the Catalunya based UNESCO Human Tower added to the increase in marketing efforts by exhibitors at this year’s event.
Buyers continue to flock Turkey stand on the second day of EIBTM. Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry organized a cocktail at the stand where lucky buyers won Istanbul holiday packages. Moreover, buyers also enjoyed a live Jazz concert. Born in Stockholm to Swedish and Turkish parents, Ilhan Ersahin performed at Turkey stand for EIBTM visitors.
The Future Event’s Experience – a feature dedicated to providing an insight into the future of the meetings and events industry has also made a big impact on the show floor. Thorsten D. Meier, Founder and CEO of Life in Motion Group LLC said, “The evolution of EIBTM is huge, I think the show organiser listens to the market (not only exhibitors but also buyers) and they improve year after year on what is showcased, what is offered, which new/upcoming destinations are present – everything”.
The Sustainable Events corner was also a crowd stopper delivering leading education from industry practitioners and experts sharing best practice and top tips. Fiona Pelham Managing Director Sustainable Events Ltd, who is dedicated to supporting EIBTM’s commitment to delivering an environmentally friendly and socially responsible show commented, “its great to see an event giving such valuable education from this vital topic. The buzz around the stand has been amazing”.
more information: www.eibtm.com
