As the region’s leading platform for inbound and outbound MICE and business travel industry professionals, the technology sessions or ‘Event Camp’, at the 2014 Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel & Meetings (GIBTM) exhibition, will analyse the way technology is driving the future of the region’s MICE sector development.

According to GIBTM’s exhibition manager Lois Hall: “It is critical that delegates get to grips with future trends and innovations, allowing them to better plan and execute their meetings and business strategies, adapting them to the fast-paced, competitive business world in which we live.”

Key sessions at this year’s event, which returns to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, include ‘Trends in Event Connectivity & What it all means’ a thought-provoking session by Mike Clanton, event high density wi-fi advisor, EMEA Manager Enterprise Conference Solutions, who will pose the question should venues offer free Wi-Fi and indeed will that be enough?

‘Build your Knowledge and Industry Skills with ‘Presentology!’ is a tailored session especially for event organisers who want to learn how to maximise the benefits of interactive technology at their events, presented by John Quinn, ‘Presentologist’, Satellite Visual Communication FZCO.

“This demo-led session will be packed full of innovative ideas and will include straightforward, hands-on training, case studies and advice on incorporating interaction,” said Hall.

Chris Pouney, owner of Severnside Consulting, will be leading a panel of experts discussing technology and digitisation of business travel and other key industry trends – and getting to grips with key industry issues.

Last year, in what became a first for the Middle East GIBTM 2013 gave delegates a glimpse of how technology would shape events in
the future.

It became the first show in the region to present a hybrid event which broadcast presentations from both the show floor and streamed them online from destinations as far afield as the US and Australia.

It extended GIBTM’s reach to an online global audience of 16,000 users across ten countries in just two hours.

“Event Camp will be returning again this year and we are looking forward to welcoming speakers from around the world who will be streamed-in live.

“Virtual delegates will be able to watch and listen to content online both during and after the show and tweet their comments to followers around the world, engaging people who would not otherwise participated in the event,” said Hall.

Other new initiatives for GIBTM 2014 include the Business Travel @GIBTM, a networking opportunity for the business travel industry, with attendees invited to participate in the Corporate Travel Networking lunch sponsored by the Hyatt Capital Gate, Business Travel Knowledge seminar, as well as the GIBTM Official Networking Reception sponsored and hosted by Yas Island.