The Gulf region’s incentive, business travel and meetings industry will, for the second year, be offered 3 days of professional education for all levels during GIBTM which takes place from 8-10th April at ADNEC exhibition centre in Abu Dhabi. GIBTM is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

Created at a time when the Gulf’s status as an emerging international destination is bringing many benefits as well as delivering many challenges, the educational programme will test theories and answer key industry questions. A global line up of speakers from USA, Europe, and the Middle East will provide top level sessions that are free to all GIBTM visitors and Hosted Buyers.

Aiming to attract individuals who plan meetings and conferences, create events, arrange business travel, design presentations, deliver staff training or organise incentive trips, the GIBTM education programme is dedicated to enhancing knowledge and stimulating ideas whether the individual is at the beginning of their career or are already at the top.

The sessions start with a look at “The (MICE) Meetings Industry and answers the question: “Why does the Gulf/Middle East need one”. This is followed by a presentation on “The most critical contract issues” outlining responsibilities and expectations for all those suppliers in the region dealing with buyers and planners from outside the area. Presented by a top US lawyer, topics will include contract preparation, currency and payment matters, unanticipated events impacting attendance, integration of local customs, and dispute resolution procedures. Meeting planners, venue managers, and other industry professionals will learn the best ways to ensure an event’s success in the growing Gulf destination marketplace.

An inspirational look at how to design a sensational event is another seminar that will look at stimulating the senses, whilst “the protocol of doing business in the Middle East” will be presented over a working lunch. Thursday 10th April kicks off with an “Introduction to planning an event” presented by one of the UK’s top industry figures, Vanessa Cotton. Another panel discussion will talk about “Why Meeting and Incentive Planners choose the Gulf” – what they expect and how they make their selection and one on Incentives as a motivational and marketing tool for the region.

The results of the region’s second Industry Survey – the only one that looks critically at the business flows in and out of the region – will be presented during a keynote session on Tuesday April 8th. This pioneering research will be imperative to anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of the demand and supply trends for the industry in the Gulf and wider Middle East.

Graeme Barnett, Event Director sums it all up. “GIBTM’s professional education programme is unique in the region. We have more sessions this year, a greater variety of hot industry topics and many of the world’s key industry figures participating. It is the only opportunity each year for the region to meet, do business and reflect on some of the international and local issues, find solutions to their own problems and go away from the event with more knowledge than when they arrived. We encourage all those in the industry to attend.”