CIBTM (www.cibtm.com) the established meetings industry event in China which attracted a record number of Hosted Buyers and facilitated more than 7,500 pre-scheduled appointments last year, is receiving significant interest from European product and service providers who are looking to exhibit at this year’s event set to take place from 12-14th September.

Madrid Convention Bureau will be exhibiting for the fist time and joining returning exhibitors Flanders, Vienna Convention Bureau, Barcelona Convention Bureau and Switzerland, amongst others.

The 2011 China and Asia Meetings Industry Research Report, presented at CIBTM, clearly identified Europe as an emerging destination and one of the most popular for outbound events from the region, with particular focus on countries including France, UK, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Further research confirmed that suppliers exhibiting at CIBTM also matched the buyers’ responses with 48% of respondents from the survey saying that the Hosted Buyers they had seen were interested in placing business in Europe.

The research results also predicted growth in the number and volume of meetings and events going outbound from China. 74% of buyer respondents and 52% of suppliers forecast an increase in the volume of events they will organise over the next twelve months.

Mercedes García, Marketing Manager at Barcelona’s Tourism Convention Bureau commented: “ We are delighted to be participating in CIBTM once again, last year’s show delivered for us on all fronts and we achieved a great deal of business leads following our participation. CIBTM continually delivers a great quality audience of Hosted Buyers and we are looking forward to exhibiting again later this year.”

Jeffrey Xu, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Event Director CIBTM commented: “The China Meetings market is expected to grow significantly in 2012 as the market continues to lead others we expect to see the number of meetings increase. According to the American Express 2011 China Business Travel Barometer, business travel industry sectors are booming in China and there is a great deal of potential for more growth in the travel sector.”

Following the successful launch of the CIBTM dedicated China Meetings Week last year, the initiative will be returning to CIBTM 2012 with the backing from leading industry associations – MPI, ICCA and Site – providing input into the professional education programme that plays such a pivotal role in the event.

China Meetings Week is one of the major driving forces behind the growth of the meetings industry throughout China and is set to help China fully realise its potential to attract large-scale international corporate and association events.