EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), a Reed Travel Exhibitions Event, which opened in Barcelona on Tuesday has seen record attendance and is set to deliver outstanding business opportunities. With over 65,000 pre-scheduled appointments (16% increase on 2010) selected by 4,150 accepted Hosted Buyers with over 3,127 exhibitors – business activity on the show floor has been exceptional.

Event Director EIBTM Graeme Barnett commented, “We are on target to deliver what we believe will be the most dynamic event in the shows history.  The levels of business activity witnessed over the first two days have been phenomenal”.

The first two days have also seen 67 Education seminars sessions and 13 co-located events.  Standing room only at the Association programme, a fully subscribed Agency and Corporate Programmes, up to the minute research presented by Rob Davidson and a CEO Summit with over 60 business leaders from 20 countries.

Christian Muschlecher, CEO Vienna Convention Bureau led the way with an early comment on Monday before the show opened; “My appointment diary went live just a few weeks ago and the team has been inundated with requests for appointments. I haven’t experienced this at any trade show before”.

Samme Allen, Head of Sales Barbican Centre London, said; “MPI had its best ever attendance at the London & Partners Cocktail reception last night.  Plus my first meeting when the show opened, delivered a major bank who I hope will be bringing multiple events to the Barbican – it’s wonderful, the Corporates are back”.

Fiona Chappell, Director, Business Development (UK/Europe), Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau commented, “The first day at the show has been better than all three at any other meeting and events exhibition we have attended this year. We had a lead from a company in Germany for over 1,500 people and they weren’t even on our radar. What’s also been good, is that I met someone who I have been trying to connect with for a long while – so over all it’s been great.”

Other highlights included the launch of the first China Meetings Forum with more than 60 delegates who listened to China’s industry leaders give the international meetings industry a view of how the world’s economic power house is determined to succeed on the global stage winning high profile business led events.

Over 20 exhibitor press conferences in just 48 hours, more than half the show floor launching products and services with various promotions including Sarong parties, Whisky tasting, a German Xmas Market and the Catalunya based UNESCO Human Tower added to the increase in marketing efforts by exhibitors at this year’s event. 

“For the first time we have also noticed the instant impact of twitter.  For 48 hours it’s as if the networks are only talking about EIBTM and the connection between individuals, exhibitors, suppliers and buyers is clear – they are all planning their business connections and networking on twitter. There has never been a greater sense of collaboration towards the common goal of bigger, better business opportunities for everyone taking part in the show,” commented Graeme Barnett, Event Director for EIBTM.

Today’s flurry of EIBTM tweets have included images of stands, exhibitors, awards and buyers. Tweets posted included: “Visiting @EIBTMevent today. Great Experience!”, “Really busy day at the @EIBTMevent meeting some great contacts #eibtm11” and “appointments, appointments, appointments – no break until tonight – love it buzzing! @eibtm @EIBTMevent”.

The Future Event’s Experience – a feature dedicated to providing an insight into the future of the meetings and events industry has also made a big impact on the show floor. Thorsten D. Meier, Founder and CEO of Life in Motion Group LLC said, “The evolution of EIBTM is huge, I think the show organiser listens to the market (not only exhibitors but also buyers) and they improve year after year on what is showcased, what is offered, which new/upcoming destinations are present – everything”.

The Sustainable Events corner was also a crowd stopper delivering leading education from industry practitioners and experts sharing best practice and top tips.  Fiona Pelham Managing Director Sustainable Events Ltd, who is dedicated to supporting EIBTM’s commitment to delivering an environmentally friendly and socially responsible show commented, “its great to see an event giving such valuable education from this vital topic.  The buzz around the stand has been amazing”.

EIBTM 2011 takes place 29th November – 1st December 2011, Barcelona.

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