This year’s EIBTM Association Programme is focused on issues and objectives highlighted by executives from the industry as key to their learning and development. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the EIBTM Association Programme organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, in conjunction with Gallus Events, will, as a result of this research, address member growth and retention, raising income, communicating with members and the threats and opportunities of the social media revolution.

For the first time, attendees will be shown short video clips from EIBTM YouTube channel where Association Executives explain the challenges they face. The day will then focus on an agenda that addresses their issues whilst providing time for interaction, debate, breakout sessions and peer-to-peer networking.

Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA commented: “The international association meetings Market has been consistently resilient over the last few years of economic turbulence, so ICCA is delighted to see another strong association programme at this year’s EIBTM. For ICCA members around the world these association professionals are EIBTM’s most valued clients and we look forward to another excellent opportunity to bring these two communities together.”

The 2-day programme will equip attendees with relevant tools, knowledge and insight, enabling individuals to create more effective and profitable events for their associations. Interwoven throughout the sessions, key themes will be addressed, including membership growth and retention, revenue generation and communications, specifically the use of social media.

Thomas Morano, Vice President, Meetings & Conferences, American Financial Services Association, Washington, DC commented: “EIBTM has proven to be the industry event of the year. After attending the Association Programme for several years, I have found the timing, location and convergence of industry leaders from all corners of the world at one place to be the best use of my time. The Hosted Buyer program makes it an easy financial decision as well. My plan is to attend again in 2011 to expand my knowledge in products and services while learning the latest trends”.

Highlights from the sessions include; Jeff Hurt, Director of Education and Engagement, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting (US) presenting his views on Objective Led Events and helping his audience discover the power of objectives, what good and bad congress objectives look like and setting guidelines on being bold but realistic when setting objectives and benchmarking..

Michael Coogan, Ex Director General, Council of Mortgage Lenders (UK) will offer insight on the importance of understanding roles when planning and delivering events. His session, aimed at the senior Association professional, will consider how various roles impact on the event process, from Event Organiser to Association Head. The session will also cover aspects such as cost management and budgeting, benchmarking and best practice.

Day two will tackle the fundamental components of the largest association run event; The Annual Congress. The day will commence with an opening discussion before moving on to various case studies, breakout and Q&A sessions which have been integrated into the structure to ensure that association peers form across the globe are given the opportunity to network with one another.

Break out sessions will focus on learning and content development for the Annual Congress and organisational approaches to addressing key conference themes including retaining and recruiting members; raising income and communicating successfully with all members.

Networking is a fundamental component of the programme, which strives not only to support business objectives but also to connect Association planners from across the globe. At the end of each day there will be a Personal Connections Networking Event - in conjunction with ICCA.

Graeme Barnett, Reed Travel Exhibitions Event Director EIBTM comments: “Ten years of Association excellence is a great achievement but we are always looking to evolve and develop the programme to meet the specific needs of the Association event planning community. Each year we review the content, format and objectives, taking advice from leading Associations who support the event such as ASAE, PCMA, ICCA and Association Resource. We want to make sure that EIBTM’s Association Programme remains the leading annual event for Association Meetings Planners and Association Management Companies.”