A renewed confidence witnessed across the industry has been reinforced by two major research reports presented onsite including the findings of Rob Davidson’s EIBTM Industry Trends Report, and The Right Solution’s IBTM Global Research. Both recorded increased levels of optimism as the meetings and events industry continues to remain “critical drivers assisting organizations in their efforts to reach their strategic business objectives.”
Ending the year on a high, EIBTM 2013 reports that exhibitors, buyers and visitors reflected the positive trends witnessed in the industry this year, with over 65,000 pre-scheduled appointments taking place plus a 7.7% increase in trade visitor attendance, 40% of them first timers to the event also added to the increased business opportunities.
Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Senior Exhibition Director comments, “We really hope that all of the new initiatives we implemented this year, and the effort put in to securing a quality driven Hosted Buyer program and increase in trade visitors, helped contribute to the great sense of revived optimism across the show floor. We have also received overwhelming positive feedback from exhibitors and buyers about our new show floor layout and the additional networking areas also clearly added to the vibrant business atmosphere. By the end of the show we had already re-booked more than 35% of the floor for 2014!”
Once again, the Hosted Buyer program focused on quality with attendance from 70 key European countries including UK, Italy, Germany, France, Poland and Benelux, as well as long haul destinations including U.S., Asia, Africa, Brazil and India.
This year’s new pre-booked Innovation Zone guided tours for Hosted Buyer’s were also over-subscribed with a limit that topped 500 buyers over the 3 days.
This year’s EIBTM Market Focus sessions for Cataluyna, Slovenia, U.S. and Andalucía attracted over 600 buyers all of whom had confirmed that they wanted to specifically place outbound business into these countries. In addition to this, over 7,700 destination presentation places were booked by Hosted Buyers, with 138 exhibitors in advance of the show.
Nick Place, Associate Director, Amfivia Events Management commented, “This is the first year that we have exhibited at EIBTM, and taking part in the Catalonia Market Focus event provided us with a great opportunity to meet and speak to prospective clients and suppliers. The session is a great concept and I am really pleased to have taken part.”
John Freudenthaler, Regional Director of Sales, Western Europe, Starwood Hotels and Resorts commented, “EIBTM is the place to meet people, especially for large hotel brands. This year you can feel more optimism and the confidence is back.”
Olga Myslovska, Nice Up Events and Incentives, Poland commented, “This is the best trade show I have ever been to. It is extremely impressive and professional. Nice job!”
Marina Antonija Barac, Sales and Marketing Director VenEvent DMC PCO, Croatia commented, “There’s a lot of new business to be done here with plenty of Hosted Buyers to meet. This year I am walking around seeing clients we have had requests from. It’s a great opportunity to meet them in person.”
The extended EIBTM Live program (building on the 2012 Hybrid Conference) streamed sessions extending the reach of the EIBTM Knowledge Program and FRESH conference sessions globally with tweets from as far and wide as Canada, Switzerland, Italy and Netherlands. New content for over 100 dedicated seminars and workshops completed this year’s professional education.
“The education at EIBTM is top-class, and attending EIBTM Knowledge sessions allows us to enhance our skills and understanding of the industry as a whole,” commented Carole McKellar, Executive Director, HelmsBriscoe.
“We have had a good number of meetings of high quality at this year’s EIBTM. We feel the new set-up is a lot better as they have created more walkways, making our stand a lot more accessible and easy to find. Our oxygen bar in the innovation zone gives us an opportunity to showcase Slovenia, with a difference, and connect with businesses in an innovative way. I have been attending EIBTM for 17 years and I will definitely be here next year,” concludes Mr. Miha Kovacic, Director, Slovenian Convention Bureau.
Next year EIBTM 2014 will take place from November 18-20. For more information, visit www.eibtm.com.
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WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Senior Exhibition Director comments, “We really hope that all of the new initiatives we implemented this year, and the effort put in to securing a quality driven Hosted Buyer program and increase in trade visitors, helped contribute to the great sense of revived optimism across the show floor.
- Nick Place, Associate Director, Amfivia Events Management commented, “This is the first year that we have exhibited at EIBTM, and taking part in the Catalonia Market Focus event provided us with a great opportunity to meet and speak to prospective clients and suppliers.
- Ending the year on a high, EIBTM 2013 reports that exhibitors, buyers and visitors reflected the positive trends witnessed in the industry this year, with over 65,000 pre-scheduled appointments taking place plus a 7.
