EIBTM (www.eibtm.com)  will be held at the Fira Gran Via, in Barcelona (November 30 to December 2, 2010). The impact on the city is significant, as last year, the event attracted over 14,000 people. This year these numbers are expected to increase even further. These visitors stay at hotels, eat at restaurants, visit cultural sites, shop in the city, and often add an extension to their stay either before or after the event.

The economic impact for the city (to Spain in 2009 it was estimated to be €5b) is felt in two principal ways. Firstly, the expenditure before and during the show is thought to be in the region of €40m, and secondly, actual bookings for new meetings business placed in Barcelona as a result of the show is an immediate and ongoing economic driver.

This year, EIBTM is Spain’s largest meeting industry trade show and delivers the biggest gathering of meeting planners and buyers who could potentially be interested in the Spanish market. This year EIBTM will deliver to the city 3,300 exhibitors from 90 countries and 3,800 Hosted Buyers from around the world including close to 100 from Spain, primarily Madrid and Barcelona. There will also be some 100+ independent meetings and events taking place in the city during the week.

To ensure that EIBTM delivers to the host city and Spain, part of the event’s Professional Education Program is delivered in their language and focused on subjects relevant to the country’s meetings industry. This year, 7 sessions in partnership with MPI’s Spanish Chapter, Korazza Consulting, and ICCA’s Iberian Chapter will deliver topics that include: The Power of Coaching in the Workplace; Creative Catering; ROI in Event Communication; Technology Within Your Reach to Do More with Less; Key Factors to Recruit and Build Member Loyalty, Creativity in Events; and finally And Now Where Do I Work?

Reed Travel Exhibitions is very aware of the affect that an event of this size can have on the local community, and as part of their global CSR program, they will, this year, team up with the Catalan Federation of Social Volunteering (Voluntaris). This umbrella organization works with 278 social organizations in Barcelona to support people right across the spectrum of social exclusion, such as women, human rights, youth, children, immigrants, ex-prisoners, poverty, and health.

The organization will be the recipient of EIBTM’s new Green Team initiative that looks to reduce wastage after the event. They will encourage exhibitors to donate unwanted materials and products, such as stationary, promotional gifts, unopened food and drink, carpet, and furniture, which may otherwise be thrown away. The unwanted items will be donated to help large and small organizations, all working on neighborhood projects in Barcelona or as part of international support group such as the International Red Cross.

Visitors will find inspiration, solutions, and new ideas from over 3,300 exhibiting companies representing more than 90 countries, more than 20 new exhibitors, and 40 main stand holders who have increased their space to include more exhibiting companies this year. EIBTM will also have a record number of seminars and conferences onsite with more than 58 sessions to choose from. To make it easier to plan for a visit, an interactive floor plan tool is available on www.eibtm.com so it can also be viewed on a mobile device once on-site.

Trade visitors to EIBTM can pre-register online at www.eibtm.com . Benefits include free registration (if completed before the show opens), saving the onsite entry fee of €20, fast-track entry into EIBTM, and advanced pre-show information to help plan a successful and profitable visit.

Exhibition Director Graeme Barnett commented: “We encourage visitors to pre-register to attend, as the earlier this happens, the earlier visitors can plan their business schedule and take advantage of the free entry and discounted flights and accommodation in Barcelona.

“For the last 21 years, EIBTM has been seen as a ‘must attend’ event for the meetings industry. Acting as a business barometer for 2011, it brings suppliers and buyers together at an ideal time of the year to develop and grow their businesses for the year ahead.”