The world of meetings and incentives chooses to exhibit at EIBTM 2009

EIBTM 2009 www.eibtm.com has confirmed some of the leading names in the meetings industry as first-time exhibitors at this year’s show. This further demonstrates the industry’s recognition of the business potential and return on investment that participation in events, and in particular EIBTM, brings.

INATUR, Oberoi Hotels, Lago Maggiore Meeting Industry, Centre de Congressos I Exposicions de Andorra La Vella, and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority amongst others have committed to the event taking place from December 1-3 at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.

Additionally, the business, education, and networking-led event has also seen a considerable number of exhibitors taking extra space in expectation of additional interest and business.

These include Prestige Hotels of the World, Kuoni, Feria Valencia, Canaries, Ecuador, Jordan, TUI, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Qatar.

Miguel Ángel Argente, marketing manager of the Zaragoza Convention Bureau explained why the CVB was chosen to exhibit for the first time: “EIBTM is the leading exhibition for the conference, incentives, events, business travel, and meetings industry. The results of EIBTM 2008 speak for itself with record numbers of hosted buyers and trade visitors, as well as exhibitors representing over 100 countries worldwide. We are sure, as our city has become a whole new product – including new accommodation and congress infrastructures and a new incentive offering – we will attract a great deal of interest from organizers for any kind of event.”

Mandy Torrens, EIBTM exhibition director commented: “What is particularly pleasing to see is that we are attracting new exhibitors from key markets like Spain, Switzerland, and South America – countries, destinations, and convention bureaus that our own research has shown that visitors want to see. Our role as an event organizer is to successfully match exhibitors with the influencers and buyers they want to see. This is exactly what EIBTM delivers.”

EIBTM’s 2008 official ABC audit confirmed a record number of hosted buyers – 3,725 (up 12 percent on 2007), while total attendance reached 8,131 – up 6 percent on 2007. Additionally, over 51,000 pre-scheduled meetings were organized between hosted buyers and exhibitors, over 11,000 more than the previous year.

For more information on exhibiting or attending EIBTM 2009, please go to www.eibtm.com or email [email protected].

Pre-registration for EIBTM 2009 is now available – please log onto www.eibtm.com/register and simply complete the online form.