Today’s Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of GIBTM 2012 (www.gibtm.com), the largest gathering of meetings industry professionals in the Middle East. The exhibition, which is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from March 26-28th 2012, opened its doors to visitors this morning.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, opened the highly anticipated 6th edition of the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM). This year more than 2,600 visitors are expected to attend the only international exhibition in the Middle East region dedicated entirely to the business of meetings, events and business travel. The show will attract senior level international meeting planners, corporate or incentive travel buyers, event organisers and those involved in the decision making process for meetings, events, conferences or incentive travel.

Lois Hall, Reed Travel Exhibitions Manager GIBTM said: ‘On behalf of Reed Travel Exhibitions, I would like to welcome all our sponsors, key partners, exhibitors and delegates to this year’s GIBTM for what we hope will be the most successful edition to date. We are thrilled to launch a number of exciting new initiatives this year, such as the Business Travel focused sessions with world the leading Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), the first ever Arabic educational session, a cutting-edge Technology Zone, a European Pavilion and the GIBTM mobile app from market leader ShowGizmo. There is immense potential in the Middle East and we are dedicated to bringing together senior buyers, decision makers and suppliers to grow the business travel and meetings industry.”

Over 330 exhibitors from 36 countries are partaking this year, an impressive 17% rise from 2011, which saw 284 companies participate. GIBTM has witnessed an influx of 43 new exhibitors debuting at the show including India Tourism, Kuwait Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Hungarian Tourism, JASPE- Grand Hotel PoltuQuatu, Oman Convention Centre, PSideo SA, Qatar Airways, and many more.

With 7,672 pre-scheduled appointments already made with exhibitors over the two and a half day show, an 8% increase on 2011, and over 273 Hosted Buyers with high spending power from China, United Kingdom, USA, India many other countries, an increase of over 5% from last year’s show, will meet with peers to discuss business opportunities. Records show a rise in pre-registered visitors for this year’s edition of GIBTM, further demonstrating the growing interest in the region’s meetings and business travel industry and the importance of GIBTM as the largest platform in the region to connect the industry’s business professionals.

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, AskAli.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.