New exhibitors sign up from convention bureaux, tourist offices, hotel groups and destinations as the industry focuses on developing new business.
 
EIBTM 2009 has confirmed some of the leading names in the meetings industry as first time exhibitors at this year’s show. This further demonstrates the industry’s recognition of the business potential and return on investment that participation in events and in particular EIBTM brings.

Zaragoza Convention Bureau, Venezuala - INATUR, Oberoi Hotels, Lago Maggiore Meeting Industry, Centre de Congressos I Exposicions de Andorra La Vella and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority amongst others have committed to the event taking place from 1-3 December, Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.

Additionally, the business, education and networking led event has also seen a considerable number of exhibitors taking extra space in expectation of additional interest and business.

These include Prestige Hotels of the World, Kuoni, Feria Valencia, Canaries, Ecuador, Jordan, TUI, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Qatar.

Miguel Angel Argente, Marketing Manager of the Zaragoza Convention Bureau explains why the CVB has chosen to exhibit for the first time: “EIBTM is the leading exhibition for the conference, incentives, events, business travel and meetings industry. The results of EIBTM 2008 speak for itself with record numbers of Hosted Buyers and Trade Visitors, and Exhibitors representing over 100 countries worldwide. We are sure, as our city has become a whole new product - including new accommodation and Congress infrastructures and a new Incentive offering - we will attract a great deal of interest from organisers for any kind of event.”

Mandy Torrens, EIBTM Exhibition Director comments: “What is particularly pleasing to see is that we are attracting new exhibitors from key markets like Spain, Switzerland and South America – countries, destinations and convention bureaux that our own research has shown that visitors want to see. Our role as an event organiser is to successfully match exhibitors with the influencers and buyers they want to see. This is exactly what EIBTM delivers.”

EIBTM’s 2008 official ABC audit confirmed a record number of Hosted Buyers - 3,725 (up 12% on 2007), whilst total attendance reached 8,131 - up 6% on 2007. Additionally, over 51,000 pre-scheduled meetings were organised between Hosted Buyers and exhibitors, over 11,000 more than the previous year.