More significantly, it is the pivot to drive and shape the industry‘s knowledge. At this year’s event, the organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions, are looking to develop the comprehensive Professional Education Programme allowing visitors to learn from industry experts. Free seminar sessions, suitable for all levels of attendees from the incentives, business travel, meetings and events sectors will be available at the show. One of GIBTM’s objectives is to attract international and regional decision makers and influencers who hold regular meetings and events to educate them on what the Middle East, as a convention, meetings and incentive destination, has to offer.

Exhibitors from the region include Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority, Government of Dubai, Jumeirah, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority.

“The meetings and events industry in the Middle East is clearly on a growth trajectory as it continues to attract regional and international meetings, events and exhibitions into the region. With still plenty of room for further development, its enormous potential is yet to be fully realised as more of the region‘s world-class facilities are still in the pipeline.

‘As an emerging globalised service sector, every Dirham spent on hosting such events leads to approximately 7-10 Dirhams of peripheral economic benefits. Excellent flight connections together with spacious exhibition and conference venues equipped with state-of-the-art technology to affordable yet luxurious accommodations and specialised freight forwarders, all make the Middle East an ideal location for international business meetings and events.’ Says Lloyd Kenyon, Exhibition Manager of GIBTM.

The Middle East region currently offers facilities that can confidently cater to any type of event and include the recently opened Ferrari World Theme Park on Yas Island, a world-class incentive destination in its own right, the developments on Saadiyat Beach Island with the Guggenheim Museum and the Louvre to be ready in 2013, or the fact that Qatar won the right to host the World Cup in 2022, the sector set for tremendous opportunities to those looking at planning and organising meetings, events, congresses and exhibitions.