The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (www.gibtm.com) gets underway on 26th March and delegate numbers are already up from last year. With more than 2,500 attendees, 308 exhibitors from 34 countries and an increase in visitor pre-registration from last year, GIBTM is preparing for its most successful show yet.

The largest gathering of meetings industry professionals in the Middle East, which takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from March 26-28th 2012, will launch several new features at the show, including the Technology Zone, event mobile app and the first-ever Arabic educational session.

Lois Hall, REED Travel Exhibitions Manager GIBTM commented; “As the only exhibition in the region which solely focuses on the meetings, incentive, events and business travel industry, we welcome the increased number of visitors from the region and are looking forward to a fantastic show. This year, we are introducing a wide variety of new features that will allow attendees to build on their business skills, deepen their understanding of the industry through educational sessions and meet and network with potential clients. With so much to offer, GIBTM is the must-attend meetings industry event of the year.”

As trade visitor attendance is free, visitors who register online before the event can gain fast-track entry to three impactful days of business, educational seminars, networking and a host of other exciting benefits. Complimentary Shuttle Buses from Dubai will bring visitors back and forth to Abu Dhabi on each day of the show, as will they offer a return service to and from the exhibition from the GIBTM Official Hotels. For shuttle bus information, visit www.gibtm.com/shuttle-buses.

GIBTM’s Hosted Buyer programme brings together key purchasers and decision makers from around the world to the event to facilitate business opportunities and networking. This year while the majority of Hosted Buyers hail from the Middle East, a significant proportion will be visiting from Europe, Russia and Asia Pacific.

Attendees are invited to attend a full programme of educational sessions led by some of the most influential experts in the industry. This year GIBTM’S Education Programme will combine experience, research and industry knowledge to lead the way in delivering critical insight and solutions to meetings industry issues. A major highlight this year includes the first ever Arabic session to be delivered by Ali Al Saloom of Ask-Ali.com on Tuesday 27 March, daily sessions with world leading business travel association ACTE, and the hugely anticipated industry insights with ICCA and MPI.

A new aspect of this year’s show is the Technology Zone, an area dedicated to showcasing the industry’s most technologically advanced products that are designed to improve many areas of the MICE experience. From event planning and registration tools to webcasting, mobile applications and audio-visual, visitors will find everything they need to enhance their next meeting or event.

The Technology Zone will go hand in hand with GIBTM’s brand new smartphone app, developed by market leader, Show Gizmo. By pre-registering now to attend, visitors will gain a first look into Show Gizmo. The app will allow users to connect with other visitors and exhibitors and build their event itinerary with the event planner tool. It will be continually updated before and during GIBTM with a full ‘What’s on’ guide, essential information, exhibitor listings, speaker profiles and the latest show photos. The app is free to download on all iPhone, iPad, Android and BlackBerry devices and is designed to help attendees get the most from this year’s GIBTM, pre-show, onsite at the show and post-show.

All attendees at GIBTM are invited to build on their industry network at the official welcome reception held at the brand new Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 27 March. Straight after the show, GIBTM coaches will transport delegates to the stunning hotel for an evening of networking away from the show floor.

Held under the patronage of Chairman, HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, GIBTM 2012’s distinguished industry partners include Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, ADNEC, Ask Ali.com, Etihad Airways and The Vision Destination Management Company. Meetme, published by NPI, is a global media partner and publisher of the official show daily publication.