Hosted Buyers travelling from the UK and attending EIBTM (www.eibtm.com), the leading global event for the meetings and events industry are set to benefit from the most flexible Hosted Buyer Programme to date.

Applications for the EIBTM Hosted Buyer Programme are now being accepted and UK based global Meetings, Incentives, Events, and Business Travel Industry decision makers are invited to apply via www.eibtm.com/hosted

All UK Hosted Buyers will be offered flexible travel options, with departure points now available across the UK. EIBTM will also once again run the dedicated Hosted Buyer charter flight from Gatwick, offering buyers a VIP travel experience. In addition to this, buyers will also be provided with flexibility regarding the length of time they would like to attend the show.

Joanna Warr, Reed Travel Exhibitions, EIBTM Hosted Buyer Manager explains, “We carry out post show research every year, which allows us to continuously re-evaluate our Hosted Buyer programme. The feedback generates ideas for improving the programme to ensure that we provide the best experience possible. The research has shown us that many of our UK Hosted Buyers would like more flexible options for coming to the show. We understand that some buyers may prefer to come over for just one day, and some two or three days – we know that time spent away from their business has to be maximised so we are offering more flexible travel options”.

Charoltte Hegarty, Conference Manager, The Conference Collective, who attended EIBTM 2012 as a Hosted Buyer commented, “It’s been very good, very busy; lots of appointments which is fantastic because you don’t normally get the opportunity to see so many people in one go. It would normally be 2-3 weeks out of the office by the time you’ve travelled to see them so it’s been really good. We’ve found information out about venues that we didn’t know about before and the convention bureaux we’ve met too have given us some tips for holding future events in their countries which has been good.”

EIBTM has also introduced EIBTM Knowledge to the show this year. Erica Keogan, Associations and Education Manager, IBTM Events Portfolio, Reed Travel Exhibitions, “EIBTM Knowledge is the newly branded education programme. EIBTM Knowledge provides learning for everyone attending from Hosted Buyers through to trade visitors. We will be working with some of the leading industry Associations including Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), Meetings Professional International (MPI), International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE)” to provide cutting edge knowledge and skills from expert speakers.

EIBTM Hosted Buyers will also benefit from tailored Education Programmes, designed to meet their specific business needs. EIBTM Knowledge will comprise dedicated education streams tailored for the Association, Corporate, Business Travel and Agency sectors.

This year’s show kicks off with The EIBTM Forum, taking place on Monday 18th November (4:30-6:30pm), which will set the tone for three preceding days of business ahead. The line-up for the EIBTM Forum includes a cutting edge keynote speaker from the business world as well as the second presentation of the EIBTM Lifetime Achievement Award. The EIBTM Forum will be followed by an exclusive invitation only networking event held in the centre of Barcelona.

Hosted Buyers who are successful in the application process for the EIBTM 2013 will receive:

*  A personalised diary of pre-scheduled appointments with international exhibitors of their choice
*  A tailored professional education programme suited to individuals needs
*  Complimentary return flights from an extensive choice of airports
*  Complimentary accommodation in one of Barcelona’s best 4/5* hotels
*  An invitation to the EIBTM Forum
*  Access to a number of networking even
*  Complimentary transfers to and from the exhibition, networking and events
*  Access to VIP lounges situated on the show floor.