Exhibitors, buyers and visitors reflected the positive trends witnessed in the industry this year at EIBTM 2013, with over 65,000 pre-scheduled appointments taking place and a 7.7 per cent increase in trade visitor attendance.

“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 programme and increase in trade visitors, helped contribute to the great sense of revived optimism across the show floor,” said Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions, senior exhibition director commenting on the EIBTM 2013 report.

“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 per cent of the floor for 2014!”

This renewed confidence witnessed across the industry was further 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 organisations in their efforts to reach their strategic business objectives”.

Once again, the Hosted Buyer programme 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 three days.

The extended EIBTM Live programme (building on the 2012 Hybrid Conference) streamed sessions extending the reach of the EIBTM Knowledge Programme 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,” concluded Miha Kovacic, director, Slovenian Convention Bureau.
Next year EIBTM 2014 will take place from November 18 to 20.

EIBTM is the annual global meetings and incentive exhibition held in Barcelona, Spain. – TradeArabia News Service